Academics

Jonathan Smith portrait in origin lab

Building a flexible and affordable electric-vehicle charging station

Current charging stations for electric vehicles, or EVs, can be expensive to install, and limited in the number of parking spaces they reach. Penn State engineering student Jonathan Smith and his team have spent the last three years creating a possible solution: smaller, mounted charging stations, which can move to cover as many as five parking spaces. As CEO of Streamline Charging, he’s used his Penn State education and customized coursework to get the team’s ideas to market. 
cybersecurity

Penn State Berks hosts Cybersecurity Awareness Month events

In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October 2024, the Penn State Berks information sciences and technology department will join forces to host events to increase awareness about cybersecurity issues and best practices. Events cover a wide range of audiences, including Penn State Berks students, faculty and staff; K-12 students and educators; and the community. All events are free and preregistration is required for some events. 
Students in the Engineering Ahead program pose for a photo around the Nittany Lion shrine

Engineering Ahead bridges gap for incoming students

Penn State Berks is helping a future generation of engineering students to succeed through the college’s Engineering Ahead Program, which is now in its ninth year. The goal of the four-week summer ‘bridge’ program, which ran from June 30 to July 19, is to increase retention rates among a diverse group of engineering students by enhancing academic preparedness and providing support.
Graphic showing five phases of the Penn State Strategic Plan process. Currently in phase 2, developing the institutional plan.

Penn Staters invited to share feedback on draft Strategic Plan proposal

A draft proposal of Penn State’s institutional strategic plan has been unveiled and shared with the community for feedback and discussion. All faculty, staff and students at all campuses are encouraged to visit the Strategic Plan website to review and provide feedback on the draft plans for four goal areas.
Brett Spencer holding award next to Nittany Lion statue

Penn State Berks librarian awarded recognition from American Library Association

Brett Spencer, reference and instruction librarian for the Thun Library at Penn State Berks, received the 2024 Innovation and Advocacy in Library History Award presented by the Library History Round Table (LHRT) of the American Library Association (ALA). The award acknowledges those who have made recent substantive contributions to LHRT or the wider library history community by promoting library history in exceptional or new ways or by reaching new audiences.
Photo of Sadan Kulturel-Konak

Kulturel-Konak to receive 2024 ASEE Middle Atlantic Distinguished Teaching Award

Sadan Kulturel-Konak, professor of management information systems and director of the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center at Penn State Berks, will be formally recognized with the 2024 American Society of Engineering Education Middle Atlantic Section Distinguished Teaching Award at the association’s fall conference at Farmingdale State College, Oct. 25-26.