Education Program Specialist, Nittany AI Challenge

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

5d

About The Position

The Education Program Specialist, Nittany Ai Challenge (EPSNAiC) plays a pivotal role in nurturing the development of AI-driven innovations through experiential student engagement. The EPSNAiC orchestrates the Nittany Ai Challenge, a dynamic, project-based learning environment where cross-disciplinary teams harness artificial intelligence (AI) to create prototypes with the power to address pressing societal issues. Under the ethos of "AI for Good," the Nittany AI Challenge not only helps to equip students with AI/ML/LLMs related skills through workshops and mentoring, but also fosters a collaborative ecosystem involving students, nonprofit organizations, industry experts, government, and academia. The collective efforts of the Challenge program are aimed at preparing Penn State students for an AI-enabled future.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership and Management: Help to facilitate a series of workshops that bolster team synergy, support skill development in alignment with the new College of IST AI degree and foster a robust Nittany AI community. Partner with student organizations, faculty, and industry collaborators to catalyze participation and mentorship. This includes working with entities such as the Nittany AI Student Society and HackPSU, which play a key role in the Challenge's success. Oversee the development and periodic revision of the Nittany AI Challenge regulations, ensuring they mirror the core principles of the Nittany AI Alliance and facilitate faculty involvement in student projects. Establish relationships and engage key stakeholders, including alumni, industry partners, and local government agencies to advance Nittany AI’s mission. For example, secure Nittany AI alumni working in industry to serve as team coaches and mentor Challenge participants. Recruit and coordinate judges from our stakeholder community to impartially evaluate team prototypes during the Challenge. Identify relationship management strategies with foundations and industry stakeholders, while supporting others in the procurement of sponsorships to secure prize funding.
• Program Execution: Serve as the public-facing representative of the Challenge, ensuring all activities and engagements serve to expand and strengthen the Nittany AI community. Take charge of organizing and managing the annual Nittany AI Challenge program, ensuring that teams adhere to the guidelines and the spirit of the competition. Provide guidance and support throughout the phases of the prototype and MVP development process to all Challenge teams. Work with Nittany AI technical staff to in conducting regularly scheduled meetings with Challenge teams to understand challenges and resource needs. Conduct debriefs with Challenge teams to gather feedback and assist in advancing their prototypes and MVPs within Penn State when appropriate. Work closely with Nittany AI Student Society, attend weekly meetings and help guide leadership to grow community and help educate students on the importance of AI as it relates to various majors/careers. Assist in organizing and scheduling a comprehensive yearly calendar of workshops. Ensure a balanced mix of topics that cater to the interests and needs of our audience. Keep an up-to-date record of all workshops, including past events and upcoming sessions. Ensure that all workshop information is accurate, current, and easily accessible. Serve as a primary contact point among SMEs, coaches, and student participants, enhancing the sense of community and fostering a collaborative environment. Work closely with the marketing & PR team to feature students and their achievements on Nittany AI Alliance platforms, promoting engagement and recognition within the AI community. Provide annual reporting of the results of the Challenge program to sponsors, stakeholders, program teams and partners.
• Advisory Role: Serve as a key advisor to the Nittany AI Student Society and other student-oriented groups, guiding their direction and helping to align their initiatives with the broader goals of the Nittany AI Alliance. Provide strategic counsel to student leadership, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration and promoting AI literacy and innovation.
• Fiscal Responsibilities and Budgetary Management: Monitor and maintain the Challenge’s related budgets, optimizing the allocation of resources and ensuring financial stewardship. Strategically manage the funding process, from engaging sponsors to awarding prize money, emphasizing accountability and transparency.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Program Advancement: Maintain an active list of key stakeholders involved in the program and proactively engage the stakeholders for input, feedback, and participation. Identify opportunities to bring stakeholders together that support the Challenge, while also adding value to the stakeholder. Implement a feedback mechanism to provide stakeholders an opportunity to provide constructive feedback.
• Program Evolution: Continuously evaluate and refine the Challenge program to remain aligned with emerging educational trends, including the integration of the new Penn State Undergraduate AI Degree. Collaborate with various entities to elevate the program's value proposition to all involved parties.
• Marketing and Communication Support: Partner with marketing and PR teams to: amplify the visibility of Challenge events, maintain timely web updates, and spotlight participant achievements across Nittany AI platforms. Ensure the Challenge's digital presence reflects up-to-date, pertinent information that engages the broader AI community.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees