May 1, 2025

AI + Learning Symposium 2025

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

AI + Learning Symposium 2025

Location: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, 7801 Alumni Dr, College Park, MD 20742

How can artificial intelligence shape the way we learn, teach, and grow?

Join the University of Maryland College of Education and the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) for a one-day symposium exploring how AI research and innovations can help enhance educational experiences for all learners. This event will also mark the launch of the College of Education's new Center for Educational Data Sciences and Innovation.

Featuring:

Keynote addresses from AI and education thought leaders
Engaging panels on innovations in classrooms and beyond
A vision for preparing all students for an AI-infused future

Connect with researchers, educators and policymakers working to transform learning in Maryland and beyond.

Agenda (Thursday May 1, 2025)

Morning Session
8:00 – 9:00 AM	Breakfast Social - Rever Hall of Fame Welcome attendees Distribute swag (shirts, mugs, etc.)
9:00 – 9:30 AM	Welcome remarks Jennifer Rice, Senior Vice President and Provost, University of Maryland Kimberly Griffin, Dean of the College of Education, University of Maryland Sheena Erete, Associate Director of Research, Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland; Associate Professor in the College of Information, University of Maryland
9:30 – 10:00 AM	Introduction to the Center for Educational Data Science and Innovation Jing Liu, Director of the Center for Educational Data Science and Innovation and Assistant Professor in Education Policy, University of Maryland
10:00 – 10:30 AM	Keynote Address Tara Behrend, John R. Butler II Endowed Professor of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Michigan State University
10:30 – 10:45 AM	Break
10:45 – 12:00 PM	Lightning Talks Wei Ai, Assistant Professor in the College of Information and the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland Heather Hill, Hazen-Nicoli Professor in Teacher Learning and Practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education David Blazer, Associate Professor of Education Policy, University of Maryland Tracy Sweet, Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland Carol Espy-Wilson, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland Joel Chan, Assistant Professor in the College of Information and Associate Director of the Human-Computer Interaction Lab, University of Maryland Campbell Scribner, Associate Professor of Education Policy, University of Maryland Fengfeng Ke, Clark Leadership Chair Professor in the College of Education, University of Maryland
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Lunch
Afternoon Session
1:00 – 2:45 PM	Breakout Sessions Panels First Round Topics: 1:00 - 1:50 Investing in AI Innovations: Perspectives from Funders Moderator: Kelly Mix, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Partnerships in the College of Education and Professor of Human Development, University of Maryland Michele Leardo, Program Officer for the Education Program, Walton Family Foundation Tyler Sussman, Senior Program Officer for Education, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Jon Sotsky, Senior Director of Strategic Impact & Learning, Overdeck Family Foundation Titilola Harley, Senior Program Officer for Research and Development on the K-12 Education Team, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Transforming the Learning Feedback Loop: Teaching & Student Assessment at the Age of AI Moderator: Heather Hill, Hazen-Nicoli Professor in Teacher Learning and Practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education Adam Geller, Founder and CEO, Edthena Peter Youngs, Professor and Chair of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education, University of Virginia Mauro Nicolao, Director of Data Science, SoapBox Labs AI as a New Research Methodology for Education & Social Science Research Moderator: Laura Stapleton, Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland Greg Stoddard, Senior Research Director for the Crime Lab and Education Lab, University of Chicago Marvin Mayorga, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Data Meaning Katie Wetstone, Senior Data Scientist, DrivenData Second Round Topics: 1:55 - 2:45 Preparing Students for an AI-Infused Future: CS/AI Education in K-12 Schools Moderator: Elias Gonzalez, Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Curriculum Innovation Lead for Break Through Tech, University of Maryland Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer, Code.org Quiana Bannerman, Director of the Maryland Center for Computing Education, University System of Maryland Cara Lesser, Founder and Executive Director, KID Museum Integration of AI in Higher Education: Opportunities & Challenges Moderator: Neda Atanasoski, Professor and Chair of the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, University of Maryland Alyssa Ryan, Program Director, Academic Program Operations for AIM, University of Maryland Brian Caffo, Professor of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University Jeff Forbes, Program Director for the Education and Workforce Program, National Science Foundation Eric Pacuit, Professor of Philosophy, University of Maryland Using AI in Classrooms: Educators’ Perspectives Moderator: Jared Joiner, Founder & Managing Director, InterThesis Chris Irwin, Instructional Lead Teacher, College Park Academy Samantha Booth, Director of the Mathematics Teaching and Teacher Learning Program, Harvard University Center for Education Policy Research Heather LaDuca, Technology Implementation Specialist in the Department of Digital Innovation, Montgomery County Public Schools
2:45 – 3:10 PM	Break
3:10 – 4:00 PM	Building Maryland's AI Future: Connecting K-12, Higher Education, and Workforce Pathways Moderator: Ovetta Sampson, Founder & Owner, Right AI Richard Culatta, CEO, ISTE+ASCD Amitabh Varshney, Dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Anne Kaiser, Maryland State Delegate
4:00 – 4:10 PM	Closing Session - Heise Section
4:10 – 4:40 PM	Networking Session

Venue

Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
Address: 7801 Alumni Dr, College Park, MD 20742
Located at the University of Maryland, College Park. Click here to get directions by entering your starting location. In case of technical difficulties, see below:

Directions

From Route 193 (North and South)

Follow signs toward the University of Maryland.
Turn onto Stadium Drive.
At the traffic circle, take a slight right onto Alumni Drive.
The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center will be on your left in 0.1 mile.
Moxley Gardens is adjacent to the front entrance of Riggs.

From Route 1/Baltimore Avenue (North and South)

Enter the main campus via Campus Drive.
Pass Regents Drive and Union Lane, staying to the right to continue onto Union Drive.
Turn right onto Alumni Drive.
Continue through the parking lot until you reach Fieldhouse Drive.
The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center will be in front of you.

Parking

Limited free parking is available Monday-Friday after 4 p.m. and all day on weekends in Lot 1b (behind Riggs Alumni Center).
Paid parking is available in the Stadium Drive Garage for $3 per hour at all times. The garage is next to Riggs Alumni Center and Moxley Gardens.

Parking Instructions for Stadium Drive Garage:

Pay immediately after parking.
Enter your space number into the payment machine outside the garage or use the ParkMobile app.
If using a validation code, enter it in the machine outside the garage instead of payment. Validation codes cannot be used with ParkMobile.

Additional Parking Information

⚠ Restricted Parking: Do not park in SERVICE or STATE spaces, or you may receive a parking citation from the University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS). DOTS does not issue refunds or change for completed transactions, and Riggs Alumni Center is not responsible for parking citations. Additional parking information can be found on the University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS).

Transportation

Parking Maps & Directions | Campus Construction | Washington Metro | UMD Shuttle Bus

Metro

The closest metro station is College Park–U of MD on the Green Line.
A free UMD Shuttle (104) runs every 15 minutes from the metro station to campus.

Regional Trains

Amtrak: Get off at New Carrollton Metro/Amtrak Station, then take the F6 bus to College Park.
Union Station (Washington, D.C.): Transfer from the Red Line to the Green Line at Fort Totten.
MARC Camden Line: Stops at College Park-U of MD station (Monday–Friday during commute hours).

Flying

Airport Information:

BWI (Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport)
- Distance: 30 miles
- Approx. Drive Time: ~45 min
- Estimated Taxi Fare: ~$80
DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport)
- Distance: 20 miles
- Approx. Drive Time: ~45 min
- Estimated Taxi Fare: ~$90
IAD (Washington Dulles International Airport)
- Distance: 40 miles
- Approx. Drive Time: ~1 hour
- Estimated Taxi Fare: ~$100
Metro from DCA: Take the Yellow Line toward Fort Totten/Greenbelt, then switch to the Green Line toward College Park.
Metro from IAD: Take the Silver Line into D.C., then transfer to the Green Line toward College Park.
Super Shuttle offers discounted van service for groups.

Local Accommodations

The University of Maryland partners with local hotels to offer competitive rates for visitors. Click here for individual hotel listings or compare rates.,

Regional Attractions

The University of Maryland is located 10 miles (16 km) from Washington, D.C., home to:

The National Mall (iconic monuments & historic sites)
The Smithsonian Institution (world’s largest museum complex, free entry)

Annapolis, MD (30 miles / 50 km away) is a scenic harbor city known as a “museum without walls”, blending historic architecture with modern culture.

College Park Restaurant List

Restaurant	Cuisine	Distance
Looney’s Pub	Irish Bar & Grill	0.3 mi
The Board and Brew	Café Fare & Games	0.4 mi
Sweetgreen	Organic Salads & Bowls	0.4 mi
Potomac Pizza	Pizza (Inside The Hotel)	–
The Hall CP	Pub Fare & Drinks	Behind Hotel
Kangnam BBQ	Korean Barbecue	0.6 mi
Qu Japan	Ramen & Hibachi	0.4 mi
Aroy Thai	Thai Cuisine	0.4 mi
Marathon Deli	Greek Deli	0.4 mi
Pho Thom	Vietnamese & Thai	0.5 mi
Northwest Chinese Food	Chinese Cuisine	0.5 mi
Potbelly	Sandwiches	0.4 mi
Chipotle	Mexican Fast Food	0.5 mi
Noodles & Company	International Noodles	0.5 mi
Cornerstone	Sports Bar	0.4 mi
Ledo Pizza	Local Pizza Chain	0.5 mi

Questions/Concerns

For any additional inquiries, feel free to contact event organizers:

Mel. Coles, MA '16 '21 [she/her]
Program Manager, Engagement, Events & Special Projects
Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM)
📞 Tel: 301.405.2760 | 📱 Cell: 240.319.9173
📍 4455 A.V. Williams Building, 8223 Paint Branch Dr | College Park, MD 20742\
🌐 Web | Subscribe | Collaborate | Email

Tatiana Herrera [she/her/hers]
Special Events Coordinator
College of Education
University of Maryland
📞 Phone: 301-405-9389
📍 3942 Campus Drive | College Park, MD 20742

📍 Benjamin Building | Suite 1308