Students at Utica University took center stage at TechHorizonU’26, an event that highlighted innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning across the Department of Computer Science.
Led by Unnati Shah, the March 27 event brought together college students and local high school participants for competitions, workshops and project presentations focused on real-world problem solving.
Shah said one of the most memorable moments came from watching students confidently present their work.
“I was especially proud seeing students present their projects with creativity, technical skill, and confidence,” Shah said. “They explored topics ranging from using AI in healthcare and bias detection to energy solutions and social startup ideas. Each presentation showed how thoughtfully they approached real-world problems.”
High school students from New Hartford, Proctor, Whitesboro and Notre Dame attended the event, bringing a strong interest in computer science and hands-on learning. They participated in the WebVenture workshop, a session introducing web application development.
“It was exciting to see their energy and curiosity,” Shah said. “They jumped right into the experience and brought fresh ideas with them.”
Beyond presentations, Shah emphasized that students played a major role in running the event itself.
“Many students exceeded expectations,” she said. “They showed leadership by organizing sessions, managing logistics, and even teaching technical concepts to others. Their ability to take ownership and stay professional throughout the event was really impressive.”
Student volunteers helped ensure the event ran smoothly, while faculty and industry judges provided feedback and guidance throughout the competitions.
Looking ahead, Shah sees TechHorizonU’26 as a starting point for even more opportunities.
“This event has created strong momentum,” she said. “We want to expand into more interdisciplinary events like hackathons and innovation challenges so students from all majors can get involved and gain real-world experience.”
Several students were recognized for their work during the event, with projects standing out for creativity, technical strength and presentation skills. According to Shah, the positive response from judges and guests could lead to future opportunities.
“These experiences can open doors to internships, mentorship and career growth,” she said.
For Shah, the event reflects a larger goal of building confidence and initiative in students beyond the classroom. Through events like TechHorizonU, students are not only applying technical skills but also developing leadership communication, and problem-solving abilities that will carry into their future careers.
