Jon Pennington, who earned his PhD in the UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) Department of Learning Design and Technology (LTEC), has been recognized as one of 20 “people to watch” by Hawaiʻi Business Magazine. Each year, the magazine selects its group of “20 for the Next 20” comprised of innovative leaders from education, business, law, government, health care, nonprofit, and more.
An educational technologist and AI advisory council member at Mid-Pacific Institute for the past five years, Pennington was nominated by Mid-Pacific President Paul Turnbull and Pang Communications President Jennifer Bowers for his work using AI to empower students as leaders to take charge of their learning and impact the local community.
“Having seen first-hand his intellect and passion as his doctoral advisor, I am not at all surprised Dr. Pennington has been identified as an emerging leader poised to make a difference in Hawaiʻi and beyond,” LTEC Professor Michael Menchaca said. “His expertise in technology is concerned less with technical aspects and more with how it positively impacts learning, particularly for students who might otherwise struggle or be overlooked. I look forward to watching his impact in the coming years.”
Under his mentorship, groups of students shared their work on AI in education at a series of conferences throughout 2024, including the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools ( ATLIS) AI Summer Series Summit, Schools of Future Conference, Department of Education AI Summit, and Hawaiʻi Book and Music Festival. Most recently, his students presented at the 2025 Mid-Pacific EdFuture Summit.
“One of my favorite books, The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo, introduces the notion of a person’s ‘personal legend,’ or destiny in life,” Pennington said. “The story reveals that when one pursues their personal legend, the universe will conspire to help them achieve their goals. Coming to the UH Mānoa College of Education has been a major step towards discovering and fulfilling my personal legend.”
Citing Kavita Rao, Director of the COE Research Institute (CERI), as an inspiring mentor, amazing colleague collaborator, and trusted friend, Pennington said, “Dr. Rao’s groundbreaking work on Universal Design for Learning helps teachers to better reach and support their students. She’s shaped my perspective on why and how we should use technology for teaching and learning. She is brilliant and caring, a wonderful combination of intellectual rigor and down-to-earth warmth.”
After Pennington completed his PhD, he collaborated with Rao on a project for UNESCO to develop “The Digital Teacher,” a course that is helping thousands of educators across developing countries build skills based on evidence-based pedagogical practices. Together, they have conducted research with colleagues from UH Mānoa and Mid-Pacific, exploring how ChatGPT can support language learners. They currently have a publication in review at the Journal of Applied Instructional Design (JAID).
Pennington says his vision for the future of education with technology is deeply rooted in the principles of personal growth, interdependence, adaptability, and inclusivity. He envisions a future where technology is not just a tool to enhance learning, but a transformative force that empowers students to explore, innovate, and develop confidence in navigating the unknown.
“I would like to share how important family has been through my journey,” Pennington concluded. “My wife Alexia, who is an RN at Kapiʻolani Medical Center and my four-year-old son Luka, who attends Mid-Pacific preschool, have been driving forces behind my work and have supported me in the most crucial of times. Family is my foundation.”
