Creating Futures Through Technology Conference: Full Schedule

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8:30am CST

Cyber Workforce Development - Whole of State Solutions

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST

Cybersecurity workforce development challenges are some of the biggest issues facing the tech industry and the state of Mississippi. Splunk is committed to solving this through a multifaceted approach. With our Splunk Academic Alliance, students, faculty, and staff in higher education can get access to free Splunk resources and training to build their cyber skills. In neighboring states we have developed public/private partnerships to build centralized SOC models to offer cyber services at affordable rates to better secure K-12, Higher Education, State and Local Gov, and Private Industry while creating a sustaining cyber workforce development program for the state.

I’d like to share resources that are available and discuss how MS could build similar models to address this challenge.

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Magnolia D

Breakout, Subtype

8:30am CST

Enhancing Course Design with AI: UMMC’s Approach to Smarter, More Engaging Online Learning

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST

Magnolia B

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is harnessing AI to elevate course quality and streamline the course development process. This session will showcase how AI, through the use of Harmonize, helps faculty brainstorm more engaging activities for their online courses and efficiently build high-quality rubrics—reducing workload while improving student engagement and assessment consistency. While the demonstration will highlight Harmonize’s AI capabilities, the strategies and insights shared will be applicable regardless of the AI platform you use. Join us to explore practical ways AI can support innovative, high-quality online learning.

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Magnolia B

Breakout, Subtype

8:30am CST

Navigating Students’ Pathways: Embracing AI/AR/VR's Role in Career Exploration

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST

Magnolia F

Discover how educational leaders across Mississippi use creative approaches including AI, AR, and VR to engage and inspire students. This session will demonstrate how students research, learn, and experience a variety of concepts and the associated career pathways in STEM, Health Science, Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Science, Transportation and more. Based on this exploration, students are able to develop plans for post-secondary study and/or earn valuable certifications.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the AI/AR/VR landscape and its role in supporting STEM curriculum and CTE certifications
- Discover clinical evidence supporting learning gains with AR/VR
- Consider funding sources for the integration of new technology

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Magnolia F

Breakout, Subtype

8:30am CST

Penetration Testing: What it is, why you need it, and what to do with it.

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST

Magnolia E

In this talk we will discuss:

1. What penetration testing is and what it isn't
2. How organizations will benefit from getting a penetration test
3. How not getting a penetration test hurts organizations
4. How to make the most of a penetration test
5. What does the security landscape look like from a penetration tester's perspective.

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Magnolia E

Breakout, Subtype

8:30am CST

Title of the session

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST

Magnolia G

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Magnolia G

Breakout, Subtype

8:30am CST

Title of the session

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST

Magnolia H

Friday March 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am CST
Magnolia H

Breakout, Subtype

10:00am CST

Empowering Mississippi's Future Workforce with AR/VR/XR: Innovative Strategies for CTE

Friday March 7, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CST

Magnolia F

Discover how districts have implemented innovative strategies using virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies to enhance workforce development programs. Leave with practical ideas for incorporating AR/VR/XR into your teaching and training, and how to prepare students for STEM careers and industry certifications in health science, agri-science, transportation, advance manufacturing, and more.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the AI/AR/VR landscape and its role in supporting CTE and workforce certifications
- Discover clinical evidence supporting learning gains with AR/VR
- Consider funding sources for the integration of new technology

Friday March 7, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CST
Magnolia F

Breakout, Subtype

10:00am CST

Leading in the Tech Culture: How Personality, Strategy, and Service Drive Success

Friday March 7, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CST

Magnolia B

Are you currently in a leadership role or considering one in the rapidly evolving world of educational technology? Learn from the experiences of a seasoned leader who successfully led an IT team by fostering strong leadership, strategic decision-making, and a culture of service and support. Discover approaches that lead to increased satisfaction among the IT team as well as administration, faculty, staff, and students.

Speakers

Kelley Gonzales, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President for Technology/CTO, Meridian Community College

As the Associate Vice President/CTO at Meridian Community College, I provide strategic vision, direction, and leadership for the College's technology infrastructure in support of teaching, learning, and business operations. As CTO, I am responsible for the institutional technical... Read More →

Friday March 7, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CST
Magnolia B

Breakout, Subtype