Frostburg State University Celebrates Successful Inaugural ARISE 2026 Conference

Oct 9, 2026 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University hosted the inaugural Appalachian Regional Innovation Symposium & Expo (ARISE) 2026 on Oct. 1-2, bringing together more than 100 faculty, students, university leaders, industry representatives and regional partners to showcase research, explore emerging technologies and strengthen connections across the region. More than 80 participants registered for the two-day event, with additional guests joining individual sessions and activities.

Organized by FSU’s Appalachian Innovation Institute (AI²) with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), ARISE was created as a platform connecting research and innovation at FSU with the needs and opportunities of Western Maryland and the broader Appalachian region. The conference featured a keynote address, research presentations, discussions on intellectual property and technology transfer, an Innovation Expo featuring student posters and demonstrations and engagement with industry and regional partners.

“ARISE represents what we are trying to build through AI²: advancing research, driving innovation and strengthening partnerships across FSU and our region,” said Dr. Xunyu Pan, professor of Computer Science, founding director of AI² and general chair of ARISE 2026. “For our first conference, it was exciting to see faculty, students and external partners come together, share ideas and begin conversations that can lead to future collaboration. We hope ARISE will continue to grow as an annual platform for research, innovation and regional engagement.”

The conference included a featured presentation by Dr. Brian Shedd, executive director of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at the University of Texas Permian Basin, on intellectual property and technology transfer. Shedd introduced key concepts including patents and copyrights and discussed how universities can protect, manage and transfer research innovations to support commercialization and broader societal and economic impact.

The second day opened with remarks from FSU Provost Dr. Michael Mathias, who remained engaged throughout the day’s sessions.

“The inaugural ARISE Conference was a resounding success, bringing together an exceptional group of faculty, students, and industry partners united by a shared commitment to innovation and regional prosperity,” Mathias said. “The energy, collaboration, and exchange of ideas throughout the event underscored Frostburg State University's role as a catalyst for research, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across the region. We are inspired by the momentum generated through ARISE and look forward to building even stronger partnerships and opportunities in the years ahead.”

The program also featured a keynote address by Dr. Vandana Janeja, professor of Information Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and director of the NSF HDR Institute for Harnessing Data and Model Revolution in the Polar Regions (iHARP). Drawing on her work with iHARP, Janeja discussed how data science, AI and advanced computing can support interdisciplinary research on complex challenges in the polar regions, as well as lessons from building interdisciplinary research collaborations centered on dialogue, trust and intentional engagement across disciplines.

FSU President Dr. Shadow JQ Robinson also joined the conference and offered remarks to participants.

“Events like ARISE demonstrate what is possible when a university and its region come together around a shared commitment to innovation and opportunity,” said Robinson. “We have extraordinary talent here in Appalachia, and Frostburg State is uniquely positioned to help connect that talent with the ideas, technologies and partnerships that can move our region forward. I’m excited to see where these conversations lead and how the research and relationships sparked through ARISE can translate into meaningful impact for our students, our communities and our region.”

The research program showcased work from faculty and graduate students across multiple disciplines, including engineering, computer science, biology and sustainable technologies. Topics included AI in product design and manufacturing, safety of AI-driven robots, computing and AI, tick-borne disease research, and sustainable construction materials.

The Innovation Expo featured 10 student teams presenting posters and demonstrations spanning AI and robotics, cybersecurity, embedded systems, sustainable construction, chemistry and engineering. A student innovation competition recognized first-, second- and third-place projects, giving students an opportunity to share their work with faculty, industry representatives and regional partners.

ARISE also advanced FSU’s external partnerships. During the conference, FSU and Augmental World formally marked a new partnership through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, supporting future collaboration and student engagement.

Dr. Sudhir Singh, dean of the College of Business, Engineering, Computing and Analytics, who participated throughout the event and welcomed attendees.

“What struck me most was seeing our students present with such confidence alongside industry leaders, and faculty across disciplines engage authentically with practitioners. That is the institutional excellence we build here, one genuine collaboration at a time,” Singh said.

Created with support from NSF, AI² is one of the pillars of FSU’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation HUB and serves as a university-wide platform to advance applied research, strengthen innovation and expand external partnerships. ARISE 2026 was developed through AI² as a signature event bringing faculty, students, industry and regional partners together around emerging technologies and regional impact.

The conference was supported through FSU’s NSF research project, “Advancing Regional Innovation Through Sustainable Engagement.” The FSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) also contributed as an event partner and sponsor.

Faculty, staff and students from across FSU supported the event through the ARISE 2026 Organizing Committee and university offices, contributing to communications, web development, registration, technology, facilities, hospitality and event logistics.

With the inaugural ARISE successfully completed, organizers are already looking ahead to ARISE 2027 and building on the research, partnerships and connections established this year.

“ARISE 2026 was only the beginning,” Pan said. “Our goal is to continue creating opportunities for our faculty and students to share their research, connect with partners and contribute to innovation across our region.”