STEM Today. Opportunity Tomorrow. STEMNet Expo, Saturday November 21, 2026, Virginia State University, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Free registration.

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Check-in

8:00–9:15 AM

AI vs. HUMANITY: Who Wins the Future?

9:20–9:50 AM

Keynote Speaker: Christine Burkette, B.S., M.S., M.Ed. — Founder & CEO, PICF, Inc.; Founder, MYSTA

What You’ll Explore: Explore how AI is reshaping our world and why human leadership, responsibility, and decision-making matter.

Turn Your Ideas into Income! Build a Business Using AI

10:00–10:40 AM

Facilitator: Virginia State University Student Facilitator — To Be Announced

What You’ll Explore: Transform an idea into a business concept using AI.

Make It. Market It. Sell It! Create a Social Media Campaign Using AI

10:00–10:40 AM

Facilitator: Andre V. Cassimere, MBA — Business & Financial Services Professional

What You’ll Explore: Build an AI-assisted social media campaign for a product, service, or business.

Will AI Replace Your Job or Create Your Next Career? Discover the Workforce of Tomorrow!

10:00–10:59 AM

Moderator: Christine Burkette, B.S., M.S., M.Ed. — Founder & CEO, PICF, Inc.

Panelists

• David Jones — CEO, LUMEN Energy
• Barbara “Bobbi” Koz Paley, B.S. — Founder & CEO, Balco Partners; Founder, Art Assets
• Joshua Sneideman, M.A. — Vice President, Learning Blade
• Isaac Dozier, MBA — Director, Housing Is, CLPHA
• U.S. Navy Representative — To Be Announced

What You’ll Explore: Explore how AI is transforming jobs, workforce skills, career pathways, and opportunities.

Lights, Camera, AI! Make Your Own Movie Trailer

10:50–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Virginia State University Student Facilitator — To Be Announced; Rodney Allen Rippy — Actor, Producer, Television Personality & Entrepreneur; Founder, Ripped Marketing Group

What You’ll Explore: Create a storyline and movie-trailer concept using AI.

Show Me the Money! Use AI to Find Funding for Your Business

10:50–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Darius Jones — Business Funding Workshop Facilitator

What You’ll Explore: Discover how AI can help research funding sources, grants, and business financing opportunities.

Can AI Make You Money, or Cost You Everything? The Future of Banking, Business & Financial Freedom!

11:10–11:59 AM

Moderator: Andre V. Cassimere, MBA — Business & Financial Services Professional

Panelists

• Dr. La Sonya Conley — CEO, B.I.G Financial
• Cullen — Financial Literacy Panelist
• Taraza Martin — Panelist
• Virginia State University Faculty Representative — To Be Announced

What You’ll Explore: Discuss AI in banking, investing, fraud prevention, entrepreneurship, and financial freedom.

Lunch, Exhibitors & Networking

12:20–1:05 PM

Students Falling Behind? Use AI to Close Learning Gaps

1:05–1:45 PM

Facilitator: Virginia State University Student Facilitator — To Be Announced

What You’ll Explore: Explore AI-supported methods for identifying and addressing learning gaps.

Build Your Own AI Assistant: Put AI to Work for You!

1:05–1:45 PM

Facilitator: Brenner D. Stiles — Community Advocate and Veteran

What You’ll Explore: Design a practical AI assistant to support everyday responsibilities and professional goals.

AI Is Already Changing Your Life! From Smarter Cars to Better Healthcare, What’s Next?

1:15–2:15 PM

Moderator: Andre V. Cassimere, MBA — Business & Financial Services Professional

Panelists

• Dr. Clifford Morris, MD, DipABLM — President & Founder, Morris Cardiovascular and Risk Reduction Center; Preventive Cardiologist
• Dr. John S. Choy, Ph.D. — Biology Researcher, The Catholic University of America
• Eric Aronson, B.S. — Reprieve Consultant, Regenesis Biomedical; U.S. Army Veteran; West Point Graduate
• Dr. Dawit Haile — Dean & Professor, Virginia State University
• Bill Montgomery — Team Director, Hidden Pioneers; Transportation & Technology Consultant

What You’ll Explore: Discover how AI is influencing healthcare, transportation, education, medical technology, and daily life.

Use AI to Increase Reading, Math or Science Scores

1:55–2:35 PM

Facilitator: Dr. Rhonda Turpin — Share Homes Inc. (affiliation pending confirmation)

What You’ll Explore: Explore AI-assisted academic interventions and personalized learning strategies.

Your Next Move! Use AI to Create a Personalized Success Plan

1:55–2:35 PM

Facilitator: Vanessa Carter — STEMNet Event Organizer

What You’ll Explore: Build a personalized roadmap for education, career advancement, and life goals.

Who’s Teaching Our Children, AI or Educators? The Future of AI Governance in K–12 Schools & Universities!

2:25–3:15 PM

Moderator: Christine Burkette, B.S., M.S., M.Ed. — Founder & CEO, PICF, Inc.

Panelists

• Shirle Walker — Panelist
• Nicole Dorn — Panelist
• Dr. Allson Davis — Panelist
• William H. Parker — Educational Consultant; Former School Principal
• Virginia State University Professor — To Be Announced

What You’ll Explore: Examine AI governance, educator leadership, student privacy, academic integrity, and institutional accountability.

Financial Literacy: Using AI to Teach Kids to Manage, Save and Invest

2:45–3:25 PM

Facilitator: Dr. La Sonya Conley — CEO, B.I.G Financial

What You’ll Explore: Use AI activities to explore budgeting, saving, investing, and responsible financial decisions.

Use AI to Fix Your Credit, Establish Savings and Build an Investment Plan

2:45–3:25 PM

Facilitator: Cullen — Financial Planning Workshop Facilitator

What You’ll Explore: Explore AI-assisted credit planning, savings goals, and investment research.

Closing Keynote & Community Next Steps

3:25–4:00 PM

Keynote Speaker: Christine Burkette, B.S., M.S., M.Ed. — Founder & CEO, PICF, Inc.; Founder, MYSTA

What You’ll Explore: Closing reflections, community connections, raffle, and next steps.