College of Business
Faculty
Tasha Penwell
Assistant Professor, Director of Integrated Business Cluster
Analytics and Information Systems
Education
- PhD student in Instructional Technology, Ohio University
Research Interests
- Artificial intelligence and intelligent tutoring systems in computing and business education
- Generative AI and learning outcomes — alignment of AI-assisted instruction with Bloom's Taxonomy
- Digital literacy and technology access in rural and Appalachian communities
- Augmented reality and immersive technology as instructional environments in STEAM education
- Ethical and responsible AI deployment in educational and professional contexts
- Regional industrial transition in Appalachian Ohio and the Ohio River Valley (what workforce and community outcomes from the steel and automotive eras predict for the current data center buildout)
- Experiential and applied learning in business education — design, implementation, and assessment of industry-partnered student work
Courses Taught
- AIS2800
- AIS1720
- AIS2020
- UC1900
Teaching Interests
- Cloud computing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business Analytics and Intelligence
- Information Technology
Biography
Highly accomplished and versatile instructional designer and program leader with 6+ years of experience driving operational excellence and innovation in higher education, adult learning, and technology environments. Proven ability to translate strategic vision into scalable systems, streamline execution, and deliver high-touch, impactful learning experiences. Expertise in curriculum development, LMS administration (Canvas, Blackboard), digital marketing, and data-driven program improvement. Passionate about leveraging technology – including AI – to enhance learning and engagement.
Presentations & Awards
- Rising Star Award for Instructional Faculty — Ohio University. (2026)
- First Place, Appalachian Ignite Small Business Competition — Gallia County, Ohio. (Summer 2025)
- AWS Educate Ambassadors — Selected for inaugural cohort.
- AWS Community Builder — Three consecutive years.
- Closing the Rural Digital Divide with Google Colab — Southern Spark 2026: Grounded Futures, AI in the South. Jackson State University. (June 2026)
- Ohio Education Technology Conference (OETC) — Presenter. (2026)
- Academy of Business Research Conference — Presenter. (2025, 2026)
- Pioneering STEAM Innovation with WebAR and 8th Wall — Southern Spark Conference. (June 2025)
- Universal Design for Learning Workshop — Ohio University. Presenter. (June 2025)
- AR & AI/ML: Engaging Students with Snapchat Filters — A.I. in L.A. Summit. (November 2024)
- Introducing Machine Learning with SnapML — Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC).
- AI Speaker Series — Shawnee State University. Invited speaker.
Publications
Beginning AWS Security. Apress / Springer, 2023.
Snapchat & AR in the STEM Classroom: Project-Based Learning Strategies for Grades 9–12. Self-Published.
Applied Research & Development Projects
- Sparky — Intelligent Tutoring System — Designed and deployed a locally hosted AI tutoring system built on Gemma and Ollama, developed for skilled-trades and non-traditional adult learners in rural Appalachia. Ongoing applied research in personalized learning design and localized AI deployment.
- MWAIS 2026 Conference Event Application — Designed and deployed a full conference event application for an international academic conference, delivering measurable cost savings and improved attendee experience.
- AR/WebAR STEAM Learning Experiences — Developed 100+ augmented reality learning artifacts generating 7M+ views/plays; deployed across K–12, higher education, and rehabilitation education contexts.