IST announces winners of the new David and Kathy Hozza Learning Assistant Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Learning assistants (LAs) in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) are talented undergraduate students who serve as learning coaches and mentors for students while supporting instructors with teaching-related tasks. They are assigned to a particular course and work closely with instructors to provide challenging and meaningful learning experiences for students enrolled in the course. Now, their efforts are being recognized with a newly established award.  

The David and Kathy Hozza Learning Assistant Award recognizes LAs for their exemplary commitment to student learning, inclusive teaching practices, leadership and innovative perspectives and ideas that advance the College of IST’s commitment to teaching and learning. The awards program is funded by David Hozza, assistant teaching professor in the College of IST, and his wife, Kathy. The couple has made an estate commitment of $20,000 to endow the award, and they have activated the fund early with a $5,000 gift that will fund the awards program for the next five years. The first awards were presented at the 2023-24 ceremony held April 15 at Reese’s Café in the Westgate Building at University Park.

Hozza joined the College of IST faculty as a lecturer in fall 2017, drawing on more than 30 years spent working in industry. He earned a masters of professional studies degree in cybersecurity analytics and operations through Penn State World Campus and was promoted to assistant teaching professor in June 2023.

“I have always felt that learning assistants perform a vital role in ensuring student and instructor success,” Hozza said. “As I reflected on my upcoming retirement, I started to think about ways to give back to the College of IST, and the opportunity arose to support an LA awards program.”

According to Hozza, LAs provide “hidden benefits” that extend beyond helping with attendance, grading and homework, such as letting instructors know when students struggle to understand certain concepts or what assignments they thought were more effective than others. LAs also provide guidance to students on issues such as housing, course selection and internships.

And the learning assistants’ experiences transfer directly to the real world, for them and for the students they assist.

“An LA must acquire a much deeper understanding of the coursework because they are part of the teaching and support team,” Hozza said. “They improve their communication, time-management and teamwork skills when working for an instructor as part of a team. And by providing guidance on handling job interviews and obtaining internships, they improve the real-world skills of the students they assist.”

Nominations for the David and Kathy Hozza Learning Assistant Award were accepted from students and faculty for two weeks in fall 2023 and two weeks in spring 2024. The college received 104 nominations, naming 52 learning assistants from among the 159 LAs currently working in classrooms. The winners — two returning LAs and two new LAs — each received $200.

Pamela Carey, a third-year student majoring in security and risk analysis, is a returning LA. She currently assists in IST 140: Introduction to Application Development, taught by teaching professor Rosalie Ocker. According to student nominators, Fox helps break down confusing concepts in easy-to-understand terms and goes above and beyond to ensure students are prepared.

Jenna Fox, a fourth-year student majoring in cybersecurity analytics and operations, is a returning LA. She currently assists in IST 220: Networking and Telecommunications, taught by associate teaching professor Nick Giacobe. According to her student nominators, Fox tries to make learning class material more fun and is willing to stay after class to answer questions regarding course content and IST majors.

Laiya Mathew, a second-year student majoring in cybersecurity analytics and operations, is a new learning assistant for IST 210: Organization of Data, taught by assistant teaching professor Dan Richert. In their nominations, students commented that Mathew attends to inquiries attentively, provides in-class support to solve practice problems and is extremely respective and helpful in and out of class.

Will Ulmer, a third-year student majoring in information technology, is a new learning assistant for IST 256: Programming for the Web, taught by adjunct instructor Bryan Ollendyke. Students remarked that Ulmer cheers them on, helps without judgment when they struggle and assists with every assignment without fail.

Four honorable mentions — Haley Kaplan, Aishwarya Oltika, Meerav Shah and Ryan Wells — each received $50.

“Since its inception, the College of IST has invested time and money into enhancing student success in the classroom, and the Learning Assistant Program is evidence of this,” said Erica Fleming, assistant director of teaching and learning, who runs the program for the college. “Our LAs are passionate and successful students who coach, offer feedback and engage their peers in their learning; help ensure inclusive learning environments where everyone feels like they belong; and assist faculty and students both in and out of the classroom. David and Kathy Hozza’s generous donation ensures we will be able to reward LA excellence and the amazing work of these students for years to come.”

The ceremony also included a thank-you to graduating LA leaders Sneha Prem Chandran and Casey Sharpe and a welcome to incoming LA leaders, Pamela Carey and Abbi Chelli. A shoutout for their contributions to the program was also offered to IST staff members Lynne Bechdel, administrative support specialist; Sharon Lazarow, teaching support specialist; Lisa Lenze, director of teaching, learning and assessment; and Jeannette Macaluso, human resources consultant.

Donors like the Hozzas advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.