Clemson, South Carolina
AbstractArtificial intelligence is no longer a future concept—it is already shaping how organizations operate. This keynote draws on firsthand experience from supply chain operations at Altec to explore how AI is transforming industry and what it means for the next generation of professionals entering the workforce.
BioMcCullough Tarner is a Scheduler and Materials Engineer at Altec, working at the intersection of operations and emerging technology. She speaks to how AI is changing expectations for early-career professionals entering manufacturing and supply chain environments.
AbstractAI won't replace you, but someone who uses AI well might. This is a real-world, no-fluff session on the AI practices that actually show up in internships and entry-level roles: turning vague asks into clear requirements, drafting fast without losing quality, verifying accuracy, and protecting sensitive information. You'll leave with a practical playbook, a verification checklist, and a portfolio-ready challenge to prove how you work.
BioJason See is an award-winning software product inventor, entrepreneur, and Honey Bee enthusiast. He serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Worthwhile in Greenville, SC. With over 25 years of experience in education and EdTech, he founded two schools in South Carolina and previously served as Director of Product and Next Generation Classroom Solutions at Follett. He holds degrees from Bob Jones University, Converse University, and Clemson University.
AbstractEveryone is talking about AI, but far fewer people understand what it actually means for getting hired and succeeding at work. This session gives students a practical, real-world view of how AI is showing up in organizations today — from research and drafting to communication, decision-making, and workflow support. Attendees will leave with a clearer sense of how to stand out in an AI-enabled workplace with both confidence and discernment.
BioMatthew Jay is a business and technology leader working at the intersection of AI, operations, cybersecurity, and strategy. As Co-Founder of CLEAR-AI and COO of PC Techware, he helps organizations adopt emerging technology in ways that are practical, responsible, and useful. He regularly speaks to business, education, and community audiences about AI readiness, workforce impact, and the human judgment that still matters most.
AbstractAI "agents" are more than just another homework shortcut — understanding them early is a real edge. This session gives students a clear, no‑jargon picture of what agents are, how they can power real projects, and how to use ideas like context and guardrails to get consistently better results. You'll leave with a simple mental model for agents and practical habits to start using right away.
BioKirstin Russ took a non-linear path — journalism degree, 30 years in marketing and operations, and now she builds AI systems for businesses that have never hired a developer. Understanding how work actually gets done, the messy, human, process-driven reality of it, is exactly what makes AI useful. Her implementations have cut client workloads by up to 87%. As founder of Practical Edge AI, she's convinced that the people who will do the most interesting things with AI aren't necessarily the ones who can code — they're the ones who understand a problem deeply enough to know what to hand off.
AbstractArtificial intelligence is increasingly part of how professionals work, learn, and communicate. This session introduces practical and responsible ways students can use AI tools to support daily productivity and career development. The focus is on real-world use cases — organizing work, improving communication, learning new skills, and preparing for the job search — with emphasis on judgment, ethical use, and employer expectations.
BioDr. Kushal Jha, Ph.D. leads campus-wide AI literacy efforts at the University of South Carolina's Division of Information Technology. He designs high-impact AI education programs and partners with faculty, staff, and students to integrate AI into teaching, learning, and professional practice in ethical and effective ways. Dr. Jha was selected as the 2024 Commencement Marshal at Oklahoma State University for his contributions to the university's land-grant mission.
AbstractThis interactive session shows how to use AI to get a head start in your professional career. Participants will learn ways to work faster, stay organized, and improve everyday tasks — leaving with tools they can start using immediately.
BioDanika Pfleghardt and Reid Turner are sophomores at Clemson University and co-founders of Drive AI, a company that helps small and mid-sized businesses implement AI to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and increase revenue.
AbstractWhat does it mean for early career professionals when entry-level tasks have been automated by AI? In this session, students will experience managing an AI agent through a traditional intern project and learn both best practices in working with AI and how to ensure they are still growing from the experience. This session uses people analytics examples but teaches universally applicable skills.
BioJohn Morgan graduated from Clemson in 2020 with a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and leads the people data and analytics team at Red Ventures. He blends the technical toolbox of a data professional with expertise in people processes. He has witnessed firsthand how AI is disrupting the white-collar workforce as his team adopted AI tools to accelerate and enrich their work.
AbstractNetworking can be challenging. Though essential to finding the right professional position, determining the best strategy and how to carry it out can be tedious and overwhelming. This hands-on session will strengthen your ability to research your target industry, find the right people to connect with, and enhance your LinkedIn profile and networking efforts using AI.
Bio — Raymond KnightWith over 20 years supporting students in their academic and career journeys, Ray is passionate about helping students achieve their goals. He believes a student-centered approach to advising, coaching, and teaching is the most impactful method for positioning students to develop beyond their formal educational experiences.
Bio — Camryn HubbardCamryn serves as a Career Development Coach for the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina. She brings experience in event planning, assessment and data-informed practices, career coaching, and collaborative programming — believing empowering students toward their version of success is central to her role.
AbstractParticipants will engage in a hands-on session to strengthen decision-making in the age of generative AI. Through interactive activities and real-world scenarios, they will learn and apply the Clemson University STAR model — a practical framework for asking better questions, evaluating options, and making more confident, informed decisions. Everyone leaves with a clear, usable tool to improve how they think and decide with generative AI.
BioEmily-Elizabeth Cotton is the Assistant Director of the Rutland Institute for Ethics at Clemson University, where she focuses on helping individuals and organizations make thoughtful, values-driven decisions. A Clemson alumna and former Pfizer process engineer, she brings both technical and ethical perspectives to her work. With graduate training from Emory University and a focus on organizational health and ethical practice, she equips audiences with practical tools to think critically and act responsibly in complex, evolving environments.
AbstractThis interactive session focuses on applying AI concepts to real academic and career-related tasks. Participants practice using AI tools to improve professional materials such as resumes, project descriptions, or LinkedIn profiles while learning how to evaluate outputs for accuracy, tone, and bias. The session emphasizes structured prompting, critical review, and ethical responsibility. Students leave with a repeatable workflow they can confidently explain in professional settings.
AbstractParticipants draw an educational scenario and decide if it passes the "taste test": Will It or Will It Not be AI appropriate? Give each case a Green (go), Yellow (maybe), or Red (no) response regarding ethical, accurate, and responsible decision-making about AI use. Prizes for correct guesses! With a nod to Good Mythical Morning — join us!
AI won't replace you, but someone who uses AI well might. A real-world, no-fluff session on AI practices that actually show up in internships and entry-level roles: turning vague asks into clear requirements, drafting fast without losing quality, verifying accuracy, and protecting sensitive information.
A practical, real-world view of how AI is showing up in organizations today and what employers are actually looking for in new graduates. Students will leave with a clearer sense of how to stand out in an AI-enabled workplace with both confidence and discernment.
A clear, no‑jargon picture of what AI agents are, how they can power real projects, and how to use context and guardrails to get consistently better results. You'll leave with a simple mental model and practical habits you can start using right away.
Practical and responsible ways students can use AI tools to support daily productivity and career development, with a focus on organizing work, improving communication, learning new skills, and preparing for the job search.
This interactive session shows how to use AI to get a head start in your professional career. Participants will learn ways to work faster, stay organized, and improve everyday tasks — leaving with tools they can start using immediately.
Students will experience managing an AI agent through a traditional intern project and learn both best practices in working with AI and how to ensure they are still growing from the experience. Uses people analytics examples, teaches universally applicable skills.
Participants draw an educational scenario and decide if it passes the "taste test": Will It or Will It Not be AI appropriate? Give each case a Green (go), Yellow (maybe), or Red (no) response regarding ethical, accurate, and responsible decision-making about AI use. Prizes for correct guesses!
This hands-on session will strengthen your ability to research your target industry, find the right people to connect with, and enhance your LinkedIn profile and networking efforts with the help of AI tools.
Participants will engage in a hands-on session to strengthen decision-making in the age of generative AI. Through interactive activities and real-world scenarios, they will learn and apply the Clemson University STAR model — a practical framework for asking better questions, evaluating options, and making more confident decisions.
Participants practice using AI tools to improve professional materials such as resumes, project descriptions, or LinkedIn profiles while learning how to evaluate outputs for accuracy, tone, and bias. The session emphasizes structured prompting, critical review, and ethical responsibility.
This event is made possible by the generous support of our industry partners.
