UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The BLK Men in Tech (BMiT) Penn State chapter was honored as the Collegiate Chapter of the Year at an industry conference. The chapter includes 12 students from the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) and one student from Penn State World Campus.
The tech conference, BMiT THRIVE, is designed to foster connections, facilitate learning, and promote personal development for all in the tech community, with a special focus on the Black male experience. It’s sponsored by BLK Men in Tech, a nonprofit organization that provides access, resources, and community for Black men within the tech industry and those who are interested in entering the space.
“This national event featured a distinguished lineup of Fortune 500 executives and trailblazing entrepreneurs, and our students rose to the occasion with excellence,” said Roderick Lee, associate professor of information systems and affiliate associate professor of information sciences and technology at Penn State Harrisburg, who attended with the students.
This year's event was held from October 2 to 5 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As part of the event, chapter members participated in the Student Success Panel, speaking directly to high school students about their academic journeys, as well as their experiences with internships and undergraduate research.
“They shared valuable insights, offered encouragement, and powerfully demonstrated what’s possible when access, opportunity, and community support converge,” Lee said.
Under the leadership of Jocelyn Bennett Garraway, associate dean for student success in the College of IST, a group of students attended the 2024 BMiT THRIVE Conference, an event not originally designed for student participation.
“Their proactive engagement with BMiT leadership led to the formal creation of student chapters, with Penn State proudly becoming the very first,” Lee said.
As a result of their efforts, the 2025 THRIVE Conference expanded to welcome 138 college students from across the nation, along with 60 high school students from the Fort Lauderdale area, significantly broadening the conference’s reach and impact.
"I am so elated BLK Men in Tech, Penn State Chapter has been recognized as the Collegiate Chapter of the Year,” Bennett Garraway said. “This award acknowledges their leadership as the first collegiate chapter, setting a precedent and standard for other college chapters and participation of college students in BLK Men in Tech at the national level."
“These students not only represented Penn State with distinction but also played a pivotal role in shaping a national framework for student chapters, increasing participation in tech from K–12 through higher education and into the workforce,” Lee said.
Alpha Barry, a fourth-year student majoring in cybersecurity analytics and operations in the College of IST, found THRIVE to be an "incredible" experience.
“I connected with so many inspiring Black professionals in tech and learned how representation fuels real innovation,” he said. “Coming from where I come from, it was powerful to see successful Black men and people who look like me thriving in the industry. Getting to ask them questions and hear their stories was both motivating and grounding. It made me even more confident about my own path going forward.”
Dashawn Paige, a fourth-year student majoring in enterprise technology integration in IST, was proud to share the growth he’s experienced since attending last year’s THRIVE Conference.
“Having the chance to speak with rising high schoolers and college students was one of the best parts of the conference,” he said. “It gave me a real sense of mentorship and reminded me why I’m passionate about helping others who are on similar paths. Seeing their drive and ambition inspired me just as much as I hope my words inspired them. The BLK Men in Tech community continues to motivate me to aim higher and give back in every way I can.”
Other attendees included Abdul Ahmed Mohamed, Ashton Buckner, Michael Charles, Elleck Oburu, Tilan Ogutu, Sage Phillips, Kendall Reed II, Joshua Scott, Adaunis Smith, and Michael Wright — all from the College of IST — and Ramadan Abdul-Quddus from World Campus.
Learn more about the degree and certificate programs offered online through Penn State World Campus.
