Student leadership takes center stage at national technology conference
Student News | Friday, August 14, 2026
Above, Xavier Chitison on the left, and Jose Zambrano, at the conference in Austin.
Columbus State Community College students Xavier Chitison and Jose Zambrano, along with Information Systems Technology Professor Patricia Opong, represented the College at the HI-TEC (High Impact Technology Exchange Conference) held July 27-30 in Austin, Texas.
During the event, the pair presented their poster, "Starting an ACM/ACM-W Student Chapter at Columbus State Community College: Lessons Learned Through the Lens of National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM IST Scholars." Their poster presentation received high praise from conference attendees for showcasing how student leadership, collaboration, and the responsible use of AI can strengthen student engagement and success.
The poster highlighted the success of Columbus State's student-led Association for Computing Machinery (ACM/ACM-W) chapter within the Department of Information Systems Technology. Over the past year, the chapter has hosted several meetings focused on networking, using AI responsibly for academic and career success, and empowering students through collaboration, professional development, and a strong sense of community. Chitison and Zambrano shared practical lessons learned, the importance of adapting to challenges, encouraging student leadership, and creating an inclusive environment where technology is used ethically to support learning.
Both students say their accomplishments would not have been possible without the guidance and mentorship of Professor Opong, PI of the National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM IST Scholarship Grant. Opong said she believed in their potential and encouraged them to develop the confidence, technical skills, and professionalism needed to succeed. Her mentorship will have a lasting impact on their educational and career journeys.
What is the HI-TEC Conference?
HI-TEC is a premier national conference that brings together educators, industry professionals,
workforce leaders, and technicians to explore emerging technologies that are shaping
today's workforce. The conference featured hands-on workshops, more than 100 breakout
sessions, an interactive exhibit hall, and networking opportunities with hundreds
of attendees and vendors from across the world. Topics include artificial intelligence,
cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, engineering, information technology,
energy, and other high-impact technical fields.
Reflecting on their experience, the two students described attending HI-TEC as a transformative opportunity. In addition to presenting their poster, they connected with educators and industry professionals from across the country, explored innovative technologies and workforce trends, and strengthened their presentation, leadership, teamwork, and networking skills. They believe experiences like HI-TEC prepare students for successful careers by exposing them to cutting-edge technology while helping them build meaningful professional relationships.
Their presentation demonstrated how Columbus State students are making an impact beyond the classroom by combining student leadership, responsible AI practices, and community engagement to create opportunities that inspire and empower others.
Go to 2026 Archive Go to Campus Insider