Northwestern Oklahoma State University Faculty Attend 2026 AI Symposium for Oklahoma Educators

June 29, 2026

Northwestern faculty members (left to right) Dr. Shannon Leaper, director of library services; Dr. Christina Xan, associate professor of English; Dr. Roxie James, incoming dean of faculty; Dr. Barry Evans, associate professor of business; and Sarah Martin, instructor of nursing, attended the 2026 AI Symposium for Oklahoma Educators June 8-10 in Catoosa. (Photo submitted by Sarah Martin)

ALVA, Okla. — Five Northwestern Oklahoma State University faculty members attended the 2026 AI Symposium for Oklahoma Educators, a statewide gathering on artificial intelligence in education, June 8-10 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Catoosa.

The Oklahoma Education Commission hosted the invitation-only symposium, which brought together more than 300 educators, administrators and policymakers from across Oklahoma to address the practical, ethical and strategic integration of artificial intelligence in the state’s K-12, higher education and CareerTech systems.

Dr. Barry Evans, associate professor of business; Dr. Roxie James, incoming dean of faculty; Dr. Shannon Leaper, director of library services; Sarah Martin, instructor of nursing; and Dr. Christina Xan, associate professor of English, represented Northwestern at the symposium.

Symposium organizers handpicked Northwestern’s faculty, along with other education leaders from across the state, to attend the event, which featured keynote sessions, hands-on workshops and policy discussions. Organizers designed the symposium to position Oklahoma as the first state in the nation to build a fully aligned, statewide AI education strategy spanning the classroom to the Capitol.

The symposium gave participants real tools and action plans they can bring back to their campuses to improve how they teach, work and advocate for students.

-NW-

Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480