Clayton State University’s College of STEM to Host 5th Annual STEM Symposium

(March 3, 2026) - Clayton State University’s College of STEM is set to host its 5th Annual STEM Symposium this spring, one of the college’s signature academic events. 

The symposium will be held on March 25–26, 2026, at the Athletic Center’s Loch and Mason Barfield Court. This year’s symposium will bring together students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners for two days of presentations, networking, and development opportunities.  

“This is a highly significant campus event that brings government, industry, and the university community under one roof to share experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss strategies for strengthening collaboration,” according to Dr. Ebrahim S. Khosravi, Dean College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Professor Dept. of Computer Science and Information Tech. “The purpose of the event is to explore how these sectors can work together more effectively to develop the next generation of the STEM workforce. By fostering open dialogue and building partnerships, the event supports innovation, workforce readiness, and long‑term regional and national economic growth.”

The 2026 theme, “Think Fast, Think Deep: STEM Insights for a Changing World,” reflects the college’s continued focus on innovation and real-world application across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.  

Executive Assistant to the dean of the College of STEM Genesis Polo said the event has grown significantly since its inception. “We started off with just about 100 guests total at the first symposium,” she said. “Now we’re expecting more than 800 guests across both days.” 

Over the course of two days, attendees can expect presentations from keynote speakers, faculty, and current students, as well as panel discussions tailored to both current students and alumni. The symposium will serve as a platform for sharing research and ideas, fostering collaboration between academia and industry.  

“I’m especially looking forward to welcoming our high school attendees and connecting with future Clayton State STEM scholars during the K-12 STEM Exploration Day,” said Louisa Catalano, Assistant Professor of Mathematics. “Over the past five years, interest from local high schools has surged, and that growth has allowed us to create more engaging content and earlier pathways into initiatives like the Launchpad Leadership Academy that support students’ long-term success in STEM.”

Day one will focus on current students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners. The morning keynote address will be delivered by David Byrd of Google. Additional industry presentations will feature Andrew Greenberg of the Georgia Game Developers Association, Colton Magnant and Steven Rimmers from Altium Packaging, and Ryan Lawler of BioSpark Lab. Faculty and student presentations will also take place throughout the day, followed by an industry leader panel discussion.  
 
Day two will center high school students, particularly juniors and seniors exploring future academic pathways. The day will open with a keynote address from Karis Townsend of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Department chairs will provide overviews of STEM programs and scholarship opportunities, followed by a student and alumni panel, enrollment information sessions, campus tours, and interactive exploration stations showcasing robotics, research initiatives, and student organizations. These sessions are designed to provide early exposure to STEM fields and foster connections between young learners and professionals working in those industries.  

The symposium also highlights Clayton State’s Launchpad Leadership Academy, an initiative dedicated to recruiting students from underrepresented communities and preparing them for careers in STEM. Launchpad provides multi-year scholarships, mentoring, hands-on learning experiences, and connections to industry partners. Which will help students build professional readiness, leadership skills, and research experience.  

Industry partners, students, faculty, staff, and alumni are all encouraged to attend the fifth annual gathering. As in previous years, the symposium aims to strengthen partnerships between the university and the professional community while highlighting the talent and achievements of Clayton State’s STEM students.  

“The STEM Symposium is an exciting opportunity to bring together faculty, students, and industry leaders in one dynamic space. I’m especially excited by the intersection of academia and industry, and the conversations that emerge from it,” said Dr. Jere A. Boudell, Associate Dean College of STEM and Professor of Biology. “This year’s event highlights innovators in technology and AI, data science, physics, and the life sciences, creating meaningful connections between research and real-world application. I’m particularly proud that our students will engage with leaders in these fields and see how their academic pursuits translate into career pathways, innovation, and social mobility. I also love seeing our students shine as they present their research to their peers, faculty, and industry leaders. That's the future of STEM!”

With its milestone fifth year approaching, the 2026 STEM Symposium is expected to build upon the strong foundation established in previous years and continue serving as a central hub for innovation, networking, and academic excellence within the College of STEM. 
 
For those looking to attend, registration information can be found on the event's website.