'A space for curiosity, confidence and connections'

Kansas high school students are stepping into their futures through Kansas State University's Digital Summit — designing, coding, creating and connecting with professionals in fields they once only imagined.

More than 200 students have already participated. For many, the experience has been transformative.

"The Digital Summit was like a dream," one student shared. "I got to talk to people who work in the field every day and have in-depth conversations about programming, artificial intelligence and whatever else we were passionate about."

This kind of impact — expanding access to digital skills and shaping digital career pathways — is why the Digital Summit has been named the 2026 recipient of the K-State Excellence in Engagement Award, a university honor that recognizes impactful, reciprocal community engagement.

The award honors outstanding engaged scholarship across research, teaching and outreach that demonstrates meaningful collaboration between the university and communities to address critical societal needs. It is presented annually to a single individual or team whose work shows a clear, positive impact for both K-State and its community partners.

The Digital Summit exemplifies these criteria — bringing together interdisciplinary university expertise and community partnerships to strengthen Kansas' future workforce and expand access to digital opportunity.

Building pathways to Kansas' digital future

Launched in 2023 by an interdisciplinary team of K-State faculty and staff, the Digital Summit responds directly to a growing need across Kansas and the nation: preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving, digitally driven workforce.

More employers are seeking out candidates with blended digital skills, with digital media-related occupations alone expected to account for more than a million job openings nationally by 2030. The Summit provides students with an early opportunity to understand what is possible and how they can be part of what comes next.

Through immersive, hands-on experiences, the Summit introduces high school students to digital fields and career specializations, including cybersecurity, digital advertising, artificial intelligence, digital business, computer science, digital media design, geographic information systems, digital agriculture and more.

Students leave with a stronger sense of belonging in technology-focused spaces and a clearer understanding of how their interests can translate into academic and career opportunities.

At the same time, the initiative strengthens Kansas' talent pipeline by expanding access to digital learning opportunities, particularly for students who may not otherwise have consistent access to technology mentors or resources.

A partnership grounded in co-creation

At the heart of the Digital Summit is a collaborative partnership between K-State and community partners across Kansas, including school districts such as Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, Olathe, Salina and Fort Riley.

These partnerships extend beyond coordination. District leadership, administrators, counselors and educators work alongside K-State faculty and staff to plan logistics, host experiences in district and university spaces and align programming with curriculum priorities and workforce needs. In partnership with Fort Riley, the Summit has also created space to explore pathways for soldiers transitioning to the private sector, highlighting how their skills can be adapted and further developed for today's workforce — ensuring Summits are responsive to partners' goals while strengthening relationships with each stakeholder.

Reflecting on the partnership with local school districts, Kelley James, career and technical education coordinator for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, said, "This was a master class in how K-12 school districts and post-secondary institutions can work together to meaningfully support students during their formative years."

Students engage with cutting-edge tools, interact with faculty and industry professionals, and explore real-world applications of digital skills.

"The hands-on structure invited all students into the learning, regardless of prior experience, and created space for curiosity, confidence and connection," James added.

The Digital Summit also creates meaningful engagement opportunities for K-State students, who play an active role in planning and delivering each event.

Serving as ambassadors and facilitators, students support logistics, welcome participants and help foster an inclusive environment. They also contribute to program showcases by sharing firsthand perspectives on academic pathways and campus life and assisting with the facilitation of hands-on workshops.

The Digital Summit's interdisciplinary design brings together faculty, staff and students from across the university — including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, the College of Business Administration, the College of Agriculture, K-State Salina, K-State Extension and multiple academic programs spanning technology, media and applied sciences.

This integrated approach helps students understand how digital fields intersect in real-world environments, while positioning K-State as a leader in innovative, community-engaged education.

Jana Thomas, professor of practice and assistant director of strategic initiatives for the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication, noted that this work reflects the university's broader engagement vision.

"This work is about intentionally connecting students to hands-on digital learning, mentorship and real-world applications so they can see where their interests can take them and how they can be part of building what comes next in the state of Kansas and beyond."

— Submitted by Mirna Bonilla