Alumnus Scott Robertson receives College of IST’s highest honor

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Scott Michael Robertson, an alumnus of the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at Penn State, was selected as the 2022 recipient of the IST Outstanding Alumni Award. The highest honor bestowed by the college upon its graduates, the award recognizes IST alumni who have demonstrated a record of outstanding accomplishments and made significant contributions leveraging their expertise and knowledge gained through their degrees.

Robertson received the award during a visit to the University last month to deliver a presentation to students in a human-centered design and development class. He discussed equity, access and inclusion issues for emerging technologies as well as his career and personal experiences related to disabilities.

“I feel honored that the College of IST selected me for this prestigious alumni award,” said Robertson, a 2013 graduate of IST’s doctoral program. “My IST studies played a key role in shaping my critical thinking, research and analysis skills. These connections at Penn State have enabled me to learn about new opportunities to enrich my career and strengthen my advocacy to empower fellow people with disabilities.”

Robertson now serves as a senior policy adviser in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. As an autistic person, Robertson finds personal meaning in his professional work, which involves advancing policies and practices to improve access to gainful employment and career pathways for diverse people with disabilities.

Robertson applies the skills he gained at Penn State to three areas of his current work portfolio. First, he directs activities to help support neurodiversity at work and enhance national autism policies and practices for employment. Second, he fosters access to inclusive apprenticeships and related work-based learning in high-growth, high-demand fields, such as information technology and cybersecurity. Third, he works to advance policies and practices to help ensure that emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and driverless vehicles, are equally accessible to diverse people.

“Penn State IST graduates are making a positive impact on the world,” said Andrew Sears, dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology. “Scott’s work in this field is inspiring, and he is truly deserving of this prestigious honor.”

Since completing his doctoral degree at Penn State, Robertson has seen large-scale growth in the space of autism research, policies and services. He noted that more work needs to occur in society to help improve full inclusion and access for people with disabilities.

“Policies now increasingly reflect a focus on improved life course outcomes, enhanced quality of life and support for neurodiversity,” he said. “Yet, major needs persist for emerging and future work to address continuing barriers. I take heart in the need to make greater strides to address these challenges.”

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first law to protect the rights of people with disabilities in the U.S., will mark its 50th anniversary in September. As someone who continues, both personally and professionally, to advocate for equity for people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, Robertson said he holds a strong appreciation for the Rehabilitation Act.

“The Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act helped ensure I could access accommodations in college to drive success, including throughout my Ph.D. studies at Penn State,” Robertson said. “I have likewise accessed work accommodations, tools and technologies to help me perform my job duties.”

Editor’s note: The views and perspectives expressed in this story are Robertson’s and not intended to reflect those of his employer.