UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), part of Penn State University Libraries, has named 21 recipients of the 2026 Faculty Engagement Awards with this year’s theme, “Teaching with AI Glasses: Augmented Reality for Real-Time Learning.”

Award recipients will collaborate with TLT to explore the affordances and constraints of the AI-enabled wearable technology Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 2 smart glasses within new approaches to teaching and learning. The technology combines artificial intelligence and wearable technology to support hands-free, real-time interaction and includes features such as voice interaction with an AI assistant, hands-free photo and video capture, contextual assistance and live translation capabilities.

“We’re excited to partner with this year’s award recipients to explore how AI-enabled smart glasses can create new possibilities for teaching and learning,” said Amy Kuntz, TLT acting supervisor of Faculty Engagement and Learning Design. “Emerging technologies often raise as many questions as they answer, and together we will explore where these tools can support innovative approaches across a range of educational settings and share what we discover with the broader Penn State community.”

The recipients of the 2026 Faculty Engagement Awards are:

• Jennifer Breese, associate professor of information technology, Penn State Greater Allegheny
• Renee Ford, adjunct instructor of business, Smeal College of Business
• Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural education, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Michael Gallis, associate professor of physics, Penn State Schuylkill
• Pearl Gluck, associate professor of film production, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
• Lee Hinkle, assistant professor of percussion, School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture
• Margaret Hoffman, assistant professor of landscape contracting, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Jennifer Jewell, teaching professor of physical therapist assistant, Penn State Shenango
• Michelle Kaschak, associate teaching professor of English, Penn State Lehigh Valley
• David Kersnar, professor of practice in theatre, College of Arts and Architecture
• Parisa Lotfi, assistant teaching professor of electrical engineering, College of Engineering
• Melanie Miller Foster, associate teaching professor of international agriculture and development, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Steven Nozaki, teaching professor of engineering, mechanical engineering technology, Penn State Behrend
• Tiffany Petricini, associate teaching professor of communication, media and communication, Penn State Behrend
• Courtney “Cookie” Redding, lecturer, School of Visual Arts, College of Arts and Architecture
• Denise Salters, assistant teaching professor of biobehavioral health, Penn State Harrisburg
• Cecil Shelton, assistant teaching professor of statistics, Eberly College of Science
• Christian Specht, clinical assistant professor of lighting, College of Arts and Architecture
• Karen Stylianides, associate teaching professor of kinesiology and health and human development, Penn State Hazleton
• Patricia Weitzel, assistant professor of double bass, College of Arts and Architecture
• Jonathan Woodall, assistant teaching professor of communications arts and sciences and communication, Penn State Harrisburg

TLT’s Faculty Engagement Awards are offered annually around a theme that combines sound pedagogy and digital tools. To learn more about the Faculty Engagement Awards, contact Amy Kuntz at aer13@psu.edu.