SUU Third Annual XR Summit
Published: March 25, 2025 | Author: Mary Nelson | Read Time: 2 minutes
Southern Utah University has successfully hosted the third-annual XR Southern Summit. The conference brought together industry leaders, educators, and students to explore the latest innovations in virtual reality, augmented reality, and extended reality. The two-day event was an all-around success, featuring dynamic panel discussions and engaging hands-on experiences. The Summit showcased the transformative impact of XR technologies in education and industry.
Presenters from across the nation gathered at the Summit to share their expertise. The course of the event included 18 thought-provoking presentations from faculty and industry leaders in XR. These included innovative uses of XR technologies for teaching language and interpersonal skills, advancing scientific education, supporting human development, enhancing computer science instruction, and revolutionizing healthcare training techniques.
“This was my first time at the XR Summit, and I was amazed for multiple reasons,” said Matt Prater, assistant professor of chemistry at SUU. “The enthusiasm for the technology, the quality of the presentations, and the opportunities for collaboration. It was an excellent opportunity to talk with folks from around the country with knowledge and expertise in the XR world.”
“My experience at the 2025 XR Southern Summit was uniquely meaningful to me in my role as a Learning Design Project Manager,” said Jordan Ellsworth, Learning Design Project Manager at Utah Tech University. “The XR Southern Summit has created a network of people with shared goals and ideas around immersive technology in education that I find to be very welcoming, helpful, intelligent, and influential. I have met some great friends there.”
A major highlight of the Summit was the opportunity to host three expert speakers. They provided invaluable insights into designing successful XR experiences and the growing intersection of XR with AI to enhance soft skills training. Their presentations set the stage for meaningful discussions and inspired attendees to explore new possibilities within the XR landscape.
In addition to keynote and plenary sessions, the conference also featured panel discussions with faculty and students who have successfully implemented XR in educational settings. These panels offered real-world examples of how XR is enhancing learning outcomes and fostering deeper engagement in classrooms and training environments.
The XR Southern Summit is a part of the VR/AI Initiative at SUU, an initiative of faculty and students dedicated to offering hands-on learning opportunities through integrated innovative technologies and AI solutions in higher education. The XR Summit strives to showcase XR/AR in use in various fields and to build relationships among educators, industry leaders, and students. Learn more about the XR Summit.
Tags: School of Business
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu