By Steve Harmic, Penn State DuBois
DUBOIS – Penn State DuBois’ Jason Long has been promoted to the rank of senior instructor within the campus Information Sciences and Technology (IST) Program.
Students who earn an IST degree are prepared to enter careers in computer programing, networking, information system administration, and more.
Long has been an instructor of IST at Penn State DuBois since 2001. He also serves as the IST program leader. In 2010, Long won the DuBois Educational Foundation Educator of the Year Award, which is given each year to an educator that students feel is the most deserving. He was also named the College of IST Statewide Faculty Member of the Year for all of Penn State for 2011-2012.
Additionally, he was honored as Tech Prep Educator of the Year from the North Central Pennsylvania Tech Prep Consortium in 2006, and Penn State DuBois’ Penn Stater of the Quarter in the Spring of 2006. Long has also been recognized by DELL for his innovative approach to teaching IST, using DELL’s servers.
Long is the founder of the Video Game Day events on campus. These events are held each semester, and bring Penn State students, high school students, and other members of the community together in a fun, safe environment to play video games. Long also uses the events as an educational tool, with his students setting up the computer networks used during Video Game Day.
“Mr. Long has been an exemplary faculty member. He is an excellent instructor who has made continuous and significant contributions to the IST Program,” said Co-Director of Academic Affairs Mary Mino. “He creates instructional opportunities that engage students in ways that allow them to transfer their classroom experiences into practical application in professional settings.
“He sets high standards in the areas of learning, scholarship, and conduct and his students value his expertise as a teacher and role model. He is very devoted to his students and our campus. In all, we are very pleased to have Mr. Long as a faculty member and a colleague. We are delighted that he has received acknowledgement for his outstanding academic accomplishments.”
Long expressed his excitement over attaining the senior instructor position, but said that he will retain the same passion for his work no matter what level he reaches. He said, “I’m very happy about this achievement. But, it won’t stop me from continuing to build the IST program. I want to make it bigger, and bigger, and keep improving. I like to look at something, and see how I can build upon it, or if there are new ways of doing things. I never like to be stagnant.” He added, “I love doing my job.”
Outside of Penn State, Long volunteers his time to St. John’s Elementary School in Bellefonte by serving as the IT director. He also coaches soccer and baseball for local youth leagues. Long currently lives in Bellefonte with his wife, Vicki and their children, Abagail, CJ, and Lauren.