UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Computing Research Association (CRA) has selected Roderick Lee, associate professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), for its inaugural cohort of 25 National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) AI Education Fellows. The one-year fellowship supports faculty efforts to expand access to high-quality artificial intelligence (AI) education resources and foster a national community of practice focused on effective AI training.
Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the fellows will pilot and adapt courses utilizing NAIRR Pilot Classroom resources, support faculty nationwide in integrating these materials into courses and help shape the strategic direction of the NAIRR AI EDU Research Coordination Network.
Fellows will lead monthly seminars, participate in strategic working meetings and champion the adoption of AI education resources on their campuses and beyond. Lee will receive a $5,000 stipend, travel support, professional development and opportunities to lead AI initiatives in the College of IST, at Penn State Harrisburg and within a national community of practice.
“This important fellowship is tailor-made for Roderick,” said Andrea Tapia, dean of the College of IST. “Throughout his career, he has been deeply committed to advancing ethical, inclusive and interdisciplinary computing and AI education. He will be an excellent ambassador and champion for deploying NAIRR resources at Penn State.”
Lee is also an associate professor of information systems at Penn State Harrisburg and an affiliate associate professor in the College of Education. He has contributed to the University’s strategic AI priorities through his service on the AI Tool Ecosystem Task Force of the AI Coordinating Council, membership on the Inter-College Artificial Intelligence Curriculum Committee and his prior role as an Administrative Fellow to the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor.
“The NAIRR AI Education Fellowship aligns naturally with my trajectory and offers a powerful opportunity to expand this work at scale,” Lee said. “I am eager to champion the integration of NAIRR resources with depth and reach across disciplines, departments and campuses at Penn State, while also contributing to the national strategy to expand access to advance AI education.”
Lee led key initiatives to shape the future of AI education at Harrisburg campus, serving as the program coordinator for IST’s new bachelor of science program in artificial intelligence methods and applications and as co-chair of the campus AI Council. He has contributed to initiatives that strengthen interdisciplinary curricula, promote human-centered AI literacy and expand access to emerging AI workforce pathways.
Nationally, Lee’s work includes participation in NSF LEVEL UP Workshops and AI education roundtables. He served on the American Talent Initiative Summer Institute Leadership Advisory Board, supporting the national Summer Institute on Equity in the Academic Experience and serving as site lead for Penn State. Additionally, through a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence grant, he launched a faculty learning community focused on advancing inclusive pedagogies and culturally sustaining STEM curricula.
“I am committed to broadening meaningful and influential participation in computing and AI education,” Lee said. “As a scholar‑practitioner at the intersection of technology, education, institutional change and equity, I will use this fellowship to build a sustainable, interdisciplinary community of practice at Penn State that leverages NAIRR Pilot Classroom resources to advance AI literacy and broaden participation in AI education.”
Penn State is shaping the future of higher education in the age of artificial intelligence. Our focus is on human-centered, ethical AI innovation that delivers meaningful impacts for Penn State and the broader community. Through visionary planning, strategic partnerships, targeted hiring and strategic investments, we will equip every Penn State student, staff and faculty member with the AI-related knowledge, experience and confidence they need to succeed in the AI-powered future. Learn more at psu.edu/ai.