WSU Global Summit

Past Events

2026 – Converge & Catalyze

The inaugural 2026 WSU Global Summit, Converge & Catalyze, brought together faculty, students, academic leaders, policymakers, and global technology partners from across the WSU system and beyond. Participants joined both in person and virtually for two days of discussion, collaboration, and innovation focused on digital fluency, workforce alignment, and the future of higher education.

Through panels, facilitated discussions, technology demonstrations, and cross-campus engagement, participants explored the intersection of education, technology, and workforce preparation. The Summit created opportunities to share perspectives, examine challenges, and turn ideas into meaningful action for WSU and the communities it serves.

Featured Participants

The Summit featured perspectives from across higher education, industry, government, and the WSU community:

Sally Amoruso, Chief Partner Officer, EAB

Sally Amoruso

Chief Partner Officer
EAB

Noah An

Legislative Assistant
Senator Patty Murray’s Office
Doug Burger, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Research, Microsoft

Doug Burger

Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Research
Microsoft
WSU President Betsy Cantwell

Betsy Cantwell

President
Washington State University
Lauren Caruso, Student, Washington State University

Lauren Caruso

Student
Washington State University
Dave Cillay, Chancellor, Washington State University Global Campus

Dave Cillay

Chancellor, Global Campus
Washington State University
Kimberly Clark, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Enterprise Technology, Arizona State University

Kimberly Clark

Deputy Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Technology
Arizona State University
Meg Daly, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Professor of Biology, The Ohio State University

Meg Daly

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Professor of Biology
The Ohio State
Jan Dasgupta, Chair of Mathematics and Statistics and Regents Professor, Washington State University

Jan Dasgupta

Chair, Mathematics & Statistics; Regents Professor
Washington State University
Kerri Davidson, Vice President of Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer, Washington State University

Kerri Davidson

Vice President of Institutional Affairs; Chief Administrative Officer
Washington State University
Jake Dowd, Director of Federal Relations, Washington State University

Jake Dowd

Director of Federal Relations, Government Relations
Washington State University

Patrick Flood

Principal
Cornerstone Government Affairs
Jesus Trujillo Gomez, Industry Lead for Public Sector, Google

Jesus Trujillo Gomez

Industry Lead, Public Sector
Google
Ed Harri, Executive Vice President, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Ed Harri

Executive Vice President
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Karina Hottinger, Student, Washington State University

Karina Hottinger

Student
Washington State University
Bhargav Iyer, Student, Washington State University

Bhargav Iyer

Student
Washington State University
Steve James, Associate Professor of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Washington State University

Steve James

Associate Professor of Translational Medicine & Physiology
Washington State University
Brian Johnsrud, Global Director of Education Learning and Advocacy, Adobe

Brian Johnsrud

Global Director of Education Learning and Advocacy
Adobe
Jonna Lee, Director of Research in Education Innovation, Georgia Institute of Technology

Jonna Lee

Director of Research in Education Innovation
Center for 21st Century Universities, Georgia Institute of Technology
Tavonput Luangphasy, Student, Washington State University

Tavonput Luangphasy

Student
Washington State University
Andy Perkins, Chair of Marketing and International Business and Professor, Washington State University

Andy Perkins

Chair, Department of Marketing and International Business; Professor
Washington State University
Stacy Rich, Principal and Director, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Stacy Rich

Principal & Director
Cornerstone Government Affairs
Chris Riley-Tillman, System Provost and Executive Vice President, Washington State University

Chris Riley-Tillman

System Provost and Executive Vice President
Washington State University

Will Smith

Managing Principal
Cornerstone Government Affairs
Samantha Swindell, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies and Scholarly Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences Washington State University

Samantha Swindell

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies and Scholarly Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Washington State University

Summit Highlights

Over two days, the Summit featured panels, open forums, and interactive experiences exploring technology, teaching, student success, policy, and the future of higher education. Program highlights included:

Open forums throughout the Summit gave participants across WSU’s physical and virtual campuses opportunities to discuss each topic, share perspectives, and consider how ideas from the sessions could translate into action across the university.

  • Building the Future-Ready WSU: Leaders from Microsoft, Google, and Adobe discussed emerging technologies, digital fluency, and the skills needed for a global workforce.
  • Architects of Online Excellence: Representatives from Arizona State University, Georgia Tech, and The Ohio State University shared approaches to creating high-impact digital learning experiences at scale.
  • Leading from the Front: WSU faculty explored the evolving role of technology in teaching and its potential to support student success.
  • The Student Blueprint: Students from across the WSU system shared perspectives on the tools, technologies, and practices that shaped their academic experiences.
  • Innovation in Action: An in-person networking reception and Technology Test Kitchen gave participants opportunities to connect with industry partners and experience emerging technologies firsthand.
  • The Impact Agenda: Legislative experts discussed the role of policy, funding priorities, and WSU’s land-grant mission in shaping higher education and statewide impact.
  • The Excellence Exchange: Higher education leaders examined emerging challenges, opportunities, and changes affecting colleges and universities.