ExLENT Program PI Engagement Workshop 2025 Event Materials

UIDP, with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF Award #2534143), organized the Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) Program PI Engagement Workshop, Nov. 5-6, 2025, at The District Architecture Center in Washington, D.C. The invitation-only workshop brought together ExLENT principal investigators and industry partners to exchange best practices, address shared challenges, and explore strategies for sustaining and scaling their programs. Through collaborative discussions, participants explored approaches for supporting hands-on, cross-sector learning experiences, opening career pathways for individuals, and strengthening and expanding the nation’s emerging technology workforce.

Need a recap? Access available presentations and report from the ExLENT Program PI Engagement Workshop below, and bookmark this page to find new resources as they are added. Presentations were provided by speakers; content does not necessarily reflect UIDP policies or positions.

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Nov. 5, 2025

Pivots: Reskilling Education Via Advanced Manufacturing Practicum

Ashley Paz y Puente, University of Cincinnati; Jim Topich, Kinetic Vision

This case study shared insights into project milestones, lessons learned in building effective partnerships, and strategies for supporting participants. The principal investigator discussed future milestones focusing on scaling employer collaboration, expanding hybrid training models, and refining approaches for experiential workforce reskilling.

Beginnings: Experiential Learning for Biomanufacturing Needs in Emerging Technologies

Terri Quenzer, MiraCosta College; Susan Szathmary, Open Biopharma Research & Training Institute

This case study shared an overview of project progress, milestones achieved, and key lessons learned around industry alignment and student retention. The principal investigator outlined upcoming milestones focusing on expanding partnerships, refining mentorship practices, and replicating the program’s workforce-aligned model across additional states and bioscience sectors.

Explorations: Refugees & Underprivileged Students Experiential Learning in Emerging STEM Technologies

Sreyasee Das Bhattacharjee, SUNY at Buffalo; Sankalan Bhattacharjee, Accenture Technology

This case study presentation shared project milestones, lessons learned in partnership engagement and student empowerment, and approaches for sustaining community-driven learning models. Future milestones included expanding outreach, enhancing curriculum design, and strengthening industry linkages to create a replicable framework for inclusive STEM workforce development.

Nov. 6, 2025

UIDP’s Insights for Researchers

Charles Johnson-Bey, UIDP; Kristina Thorsell, UIDP

This session provided attendees with the opportunity to delve deeper into how they can participate in university-industry research collaborations. This session helped researchers understand the points of view of their university and industry counterparts as well as the key considerations for building strong, successful cross-sector collaborations.

Resources for ExLENT Principal Investigators

ExLENT Program PI Engagement is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF Award #2534143)

UIDP Academy

ExLENT Program PI Engagement Workshop 2025 Event Materials

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