University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

Students, Families, and Future UAT Innovators,

What a summer.

Between record breaking haboobs and everything happening inside our campus walls, this was a season that reminded me exactly why UAT is such a remarkable place to learn, build, and belong.

Let's start with what you can see and feel the moment you walk on campus. The old Motion Capture (green screen) studio has been reimagined into the Manufacturing Innovation Lab, featuring a Tormach 770 CNC. Professor Ryan Murray and Program Support Specialist Tyler Widener are in the lab and coaching students through materials testing and manufacturing projects every day! The next time you visit Student Services in the Portal, you’ll notice that’s been upgraded as well. Designed to be UAT’s all-encompassing student support office, the space has been updated and reworked to better welcome students, no matter what they need. If you haven't stopped by yet, come say hello! It's worth the visit.

Off campus, UAT showed up this summer.

Professor Rawad Habib represented UAT at the annual Governance of Emerging Technologies and Science (GETS) Conference. He delivered two keynotes on the intersection of data security, decentralization, and regulatory compliance. The conversations happening in those rooms are shaping how society governs emerging technology, so it’s invaluable that UAT have a seat at those tables.

Professor Ryan Murray took students on a tour of Image Craft, a local custom graphics print shop, bringing production and design workflows to life outside the classroom. Students were able to experience and interact with a professional production site, expanding their career-focused perspectives on how digital maker and fabrication skills can be applied in the workforce.

On the student life front we launched the UAT Virtual Commons, giving our broader community a second digital home. The Virtual Commons is built in Teams, so you’ll automatically have access to it just by having a student account. Check there for events, job and internship postings, helpful tips from your professors, and connection with your peers.

This summer also brought UAT's community within our walls. We hosted the Chief Science Officer Leadership Cabinet, the UAT STEM Camp, and the Future Innovators Camp, welcoming over 100 students onto campus. We also partnered with the FBI to host their Cyber Academy, a summer intensive introducing high school students to careers at the crossroads of technology and law enforcement. Twenty FBI Cyber Academy students spent time with us learning cybersecurity fundamentals, and UAT students Boone Stewart and Carlos Lupercio stepped up as mentors. The whole program was coordinated by Career Services Advisor Jake Henningsen, and the experience was featured on 12News.

If you haven't tuned into the UAT Tech Respect Podcast yet, it’s time. This summer's episodes covered a wide range of topics, a standout being the conversation with alum Jared Kuvent, who spoke about resilience in ways that feel especially relevant right now. Give it a listen.

Now, eyes forward.

This Fall has a lot in store. The UAT Tech Respect Summit is October 22^nd. This is a technology conference where you can network with and learn from local technology professionals. We are actively looking for student panelists to join conversations focused on AI, Cybersecurity, and Computer Science. If that's you, please reach out to Robert Walker at rwalker@uat.edu. Keep an eye on uat.edu/events for more details and to register.

The Students vs. Staff Basketball Game is also on the horizon. I know ball…but I will be spectating. For safety. And if you're already thinking about a costume, good because our Halloween Costume Competition and party is coming, and we take that seriously around here.

To our current students, you showed up this summer in classrooms, mentorship roles, conference rooms, and in the industry. Well done. To our families, thank you for trusting us with what matters most. To prospective students considering UAT, this letter is your window into what it looks like here; come see the rest for yourself.

The best is still ahead. Happy Fall Y’all…or whatever they said in the Old West.

With pride and good vibes,

Valerie Cimarossa
Chancellor
University of Advancing Technology