Dr. Curtis Cain

Associate Professor

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Biography

Curtis Cain is an Associate Professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State University. His research focuses on advancing equity in higher education through data-driven systems and culturally responsive analytics. With a Ph.D. in Information Sciences and Technology from Penn State, Cain's interdisciplinary background combines expertise in information systems, public policy, and education research. He emphasizes the importance of data in identifying and dismantling disparities within educational systems. Cain leads research initiatives that address access and belonging for historically marginalized learners, supported by institutional partnerships and federal initiatives. He has managed multimillion-dollar projects funded by notable organizations like the National Science Foundation and Google, and he is a recipient of the prestigious NSF CAREER award for his work on systemic barriers in computing. Before his tenure at Penn State, he held a faculty position at Howard University and currently directs the Broadening Participation Initiatives for the Computing Research Association, focusing on mentorship and capacity-building efforts in data ethics and community-engaged scholarship.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2016-08-01 — Present

Penn State University • University Park, PA

Teaching and researching in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, focusing on equity in higher education and data-driven practices.

Tenured Faculty

— Present

Howard University • Washington, D.C.

Provided instruction and contributed to research initiatives before transitioning to Penn State.

Requirements for Pennsylvania State University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:23
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
GRE General
Prerequisites
Master's degree in related field for PhD Baccalaureate degree from accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Writing Sample
  • Official Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are highly recommended but not strictly required for Applied Linguistics.