From left are: Maria Abunto, founder of AMBA Venture and HBA Pittsburgh leader; Ann Jabro, professor of communication at Robert Morris University; Tiffany Petricini, associate teaching professor of communication at Penn State Behrend; Esther Chouy, CEO and chief story facilitator at Leadership Story Lab; Ginger Shaw, instructional designer and faculty integration specialist at Penn State New Kensington; Joie Marhefka, associate teaching professor of biomedical engineering technology at Penn State New Kensington; and Jodi Carver, assistant professor of business at the Community College of Beaver County.
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Penn State New Kensington engineering faculty shared research and curriculum innovation at the Global Impact Forum, highlighting work in artificial intelligence readiness and climate-resilient engineering design.
Joie Marhefka, associate teaching professor of biomedical engineering technology, spoke on a panel titled “Research Projects Collaborative: AI Learning, Preparedness, Readiness.” The panel featured members of two interdisciplinary, inter-university research groups formed and funded through the Future of Work Faculty Association.
Marhefka presented work on Readiness and AI Solutions for Employment in Pennsylvania, or RAISE-PA, an initiative focused on ensuring broad participation in shaping Pennsylvania’s approach to artificial intelligence. The project emphasizes inclusive engagement so communities are not left behind as AI continues to evolve. Collaborators included Maria Abunto, founder of AMBA Venture and HBA Pittsburgh leader; Jodi Carver of the Community College of Beaver County; Ann Jabro of Robert Morris University; and Tiffany Petricini of Penn State Behrend.
Courtney Cole, assistant teaching professor of engineering, also presented, focusing on designing for climate resilience and adaptation within electric power systems. Her presentation highlighted updates to the "EDSGN 100" cornerstone engineering design curriculum that integrate climate resilience and adaptation into core engineering concepts.
Cole led a hands-on design activity using the Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Strategies Inventory developed by the Electric Power Research Institute’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Initiative (Climate READi). Participants examined how weather and climate hazards affect electric power systems and collaborated to create concept maps illustrating how adaptations address vulnerabilities in systems such as nuclear power plants and solar photovoltaic facilities.
Courtney Cole, assistant teaching professor of engineering at Penn State New Kensington, presents on climate resilience and adaptation in electric power systems during the Global Impact Forum in Pittsburgh.
J. Ryan Simon
It's my job to advance the marketing and communicative efforts of Penn State’s Fayette, Greater Allegheny, and New Kensington campuses through creative photography, videography, and graphic design for print, digital, and social media.
