DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State Scranton Professor of Information Sciences and Technology Alan Peslak has been named the 2025 Computer Educator of the Year by the International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS). The award, the highest honor bestowed by the group, was introduced earlier this month throughout the IACIS annual convention in Pensacola, Florida.
The Computer Educator of the Year award acknowledges people who show distinctive analysis and educating achievements, and who’ve made important contributions to the fields of data programs (IS), data expertise (IT) and pc science. Recipients are chosen for his or her nationwide and worldwide influence on data science schooling and scholarship.
Peslak, who additionally serves as professor in cost of Penn State’s data rechnology diploma program and as data sciences and expertise self-discipline coordinator for the University’s 14 Commonwealth Campuses, has performed a key position in advancing IT schooling throughout Penn State.
He not too long ago co-chaired a University-wide committee to design the new IT diploma specializing in broad-based expertise expertise for entry-level professionals, notably in small and medium-sized organizations.
“I am very proud to be a part of advancing the field of Information technology in our society,” Peslak said. “Our discipline is leading the way in improving the lives of everyone by using technological resources to improve health, manufacturing, businesses, the environment and nearly every aspect of society. And the use of artificial intelligence to accelerate improvements in everyday life is nothing short of revolutionary. I am privileged to be a part of Penn State and help prepare our students to use technology to further our progress and address the major challenges we face in the world.”
Peslak joined Penn State greater than twenty years in the past after a 25-year profession in the non-public sector, the place he served as vp of finance for Akzo Nobel. His analysis explores the societal and moral implications of data expertise, social media and synthetic intelligence.
He has authored 131 peer-reviewed publications, together with 87 journal articles, with greater than 2,200 citations and an i10-index of 50. His work has earned quite a few honors, together with the 2020 Ben Bauman Award for Excellence from IACIS and the 2012-13 Information Sciences and Technology Statewide Faculty Member of the Year award at Penn State, in addition to being named a fellow by the International Educators Association: Information Systems & Computing Academic Professionals, a non-profit group for lecturers in data programs and computing.
In addition to his analysis and educating, Peslak has additionally been a pacesetter in world collaboration via the Experiential Digital Global Exchange (EDGE) program, partnering with establishments corresponding to the University of Auckland in New Zealand and Seifullin Agrotech University in Kazakhstan to attach college students globally by way of technology-driven studying.
Peslak additionally contributes to the broader educational neighborhood via service on a number of editorial boards and as a reviewer for main journals, together with the Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Computer Information Systems and Communications of the ACM.
Formed in 1960, IACIS is an international professional organization that promotes the development and growth of information and understanding of pc automation, together with data programs, administration sciences, pc science and utilized schooling expertise. Even although expertise continues to vary, this mission stays central to all actions of the affiliation.