Virtual Partnership Conference

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Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026, 04:23 PM

2026 Virtual SIU Partnership Conference

Educate | Experience | Employ
Tuesday, July 28th | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00/Noon CST 

Conference Prize: FREE Registration to SIUC Fall All-Majors Job Fair on Sept. 15th, 2026, | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

The SIUC Career Development Center invites you to experience our 4th Annual Virtual Partnership Conference. Discover how SIU students can become valuable members of your team, explore partnership opportunities with our campus, and gain access to tools that simplify and enhance your recruiting experience. 

Register Today

Conference Registration Fee 

  • Waived for SIU Faculty/Staff
  • Regular Registration (Monday, July 27th) $50
  • Same Day Registration (Tuesday, July 28th) $100

Agenda 

Session 1: Unlocking Connections - Partnerships at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Time: 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. CST 

Presenter: Nicole Wood, Career Development Center's Employer Relations Coordinator at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Session 2: Collaboration Over Duplication: Making the Most of Your Resources

Time: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. CST 

Presenter: Deb Barnett, Executive Director of SI Now

Session 3: Open Your Mind, Expand Your Talent Pipeline: Exploring New Recruiting Channels to Access Untapped Talent

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. CST 

Presenter: Glenn Edwards, Manager at Intertape Polymer Group (IPG)

Session 4: Prospects and Promise of AI

Time: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. CST 

Presenter: Dr. Henry Hexmoor, Professor of Computer Science and Artifical Intelligence and Tobias Merriman, Assistant Director of the Center for Virtual Expression at Southern Illinois University Carbondale 

 Session 5 – From Anarchy to Zen: Maintaining Harmony in the Workplace

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12/Noon CST 

Presenter: Kelly Byrd, Director of Labor and Employee Relations at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Prize Session and Closing Comments 

Stick around to see if you are the winner of a FREE registration to the Fall 2026 Job and Internship Fair on Tuesday, September 15th, 2026!  You must be in attendance for the whole conference to be considered.

***Registration fee is non-refundable

Employer Quotes

"It is wonderful the effort that SIU is investing in its students to promote success postgraduate. I wish these services were offered when I was in school."

"Amazing information and our company started using Handshake more frequently."

"I am very excited about the opportunities offered on and off campus, specifically the department specific speaking opportunities and externships."

"The SIUC Virtual Partnership Conference was a great way to get to know the faculty that makes it happen on campus. It gave me insight into how I can serve them as a partner and serve their students as an employer. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get involved with SIUC in the future."

"This was a very well-rounded conference. There was a basic training on the Handshake app, discussion on how to appeal to students, how students could be helpful to an organization, and opportunities both on campus and off campus to connect with potential candidates. A lot of great information was shared today."