IST faculty member named to inaugural cohort of national AI education fellows

March 19, 2026 - 04:15

Roderick Lee, an associate professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, has been appointed to a distinguished national fellowship focused on the future of artificial intelligence in academia. He is among the inaugural cohort of NAIRR AI Education Fellows, a program spearheaded by the Computing Research Association.

The fellowship is part of a broader national initiative to democratize access to the powerful computational resources necessary for cutting-edge AI research. The program aims to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to integrate these resources into their curricula, thereby preparing a diverse next-generation workforce.

In his role, Lee will focus on developing innovative educational materials and strategies. His work will specifically target the integration of NAIRR resources into data science and AI courses, making advanced computational tools accessible for both teaching and student-led research projects. This initiative is seen as a critical step in building foundational AI skills across educational levels and ensuring the United States remains competitive in this rapidly evolving field.

The selection recognizes Lee’s significant contributions to information sciences education and his commitment to broadening participation in computing. Through this fellowship, he will collaborate with a national network of peers to shape standards and practices for AI education, directly impacting how students across the country learn about and engage with artificial intelligence technologies.