2025 Region 5 Congress and Student Competitions, Wichita, KS

Mar 28, 2025, 9:00 AM → Mar 30, 2025, 12:00 PM America/Chicago

Wichita State University

The IEEE Region 5 Congress & Student Competitions, held at Wichita State University, is the premier annual gathering of IEEE members across Region 5 and beyond. This dynamic event brings together the brightest minds to compete, collaborate, and connect in a weekend filled with innovation, professional growth, and networking.  

Students from across Region 5 showcase their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork in a variety of competitive events.  

The event also serves as the official annual business meeting for IEEE Region 5, where current leadership discusses key initiatives, policies, and the future of the organization. Additionally, global IEEE leaders deliver engaging keynotes, educational sessions, and professional development workshops designed to help members thrive in their careers.  

Spark Tank Saturday Afternoon – Open to All IEEE Organizational Units (OUs)  
Calling all innovators! IEEE Sparks invites you to participate in Spark Tank, where IEEE OUs can pitch their groundbreaking ideas for feedback, potential funding, and collaboration opportunities. Don't miss this chance to showcase your vision and drive innovation within IEEE!

Beyond competitions and technical sessions, attendees benefit from multiple networking opportunities, including:  

- Friday Night Networking Reception – Connect with peers, industry professionals, and IEEE leaders.  
- Saturday Night Awards Banquet– Celebrate competition winners and outstanding IEEE contributions.  

Whether you’re a student looking to launch your career, a young professional seeking mentorship, or an IEEE leader shaping the future, the IEEE Region 5 Congress & Student Competitions is your gateway to growth, collaboration, and innovation.  

🚀 Join us at Wichita State University and be part of IEEE’s future!

SparkTankMedia Sparktank Info.pdf

Fri, March 28

6:00 PM → 8:00 PM IEEE R5 Social Networking

6:00 PM Wichita/R5 Welcome

Speakers: Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Mark Hunter (IEEE Wichita Chair)

6:15 PM IEEE USA

Speaker: Tim Lee (IEEE USA President)

Sat, March 29

7:30 AM → 9:00 AM IEEE R5 Social Networking: Networking Breakfast

8:35 AM Networking Breakfast Saturday Welcome Address

Speakers: Christopher Sanderson (IEEE R5 Director Elect), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5)

8:45 AM Networking Breakfast Saturday Keynote

Speaker: Kathleen Kramer (IEEE President)

9:00 AM → 10:00 AM R5 Congress: R5 Congressional Session

Open to All in attendance

9:00 AM R5 Roll Call

Speakers: Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Art Depoian (IEEE R5)

9:10 AM Region 5 Executive Committee Recess Appointments Vote

Speakers: Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Art Depoian (IEEE R5)

9:20 AM 2025 Region 5 Budget Vote

Speakers: Bill Wylie (IEEE R5 Treasurer), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5)

9:30 AM Region 5 Bylaws Votes

if needed

Speakers: Bob Becnel (IEEE R5 Past Director), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5)

9:40 AM Region 5 Business

Any other Business of the Region

Speakers: Art Depoian (IEEE R5), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5)

9:00 AM → 1:00 PM Student Competitions: 3MT

Student Competitions

9:00 AM → 2:00 PM Student Competitions: Circuits

Student Competitions

9:00 AM → 2:00 PM Student Competitions: Cyber

Student Competitions

9:00 AM → 2:00 PM Student Competitions: Ethics

Student Competitions

9:00 AM → 1:00 PM Student Competitions: Presentations

Student Competitions

9:00 AM → 3:00 PM Student Competitions: Robotics

Student Competitions

10:00 AM → 12:15 PM R5 Congress: R5 Morning Sessions

Open to All in attendance

10:00 AM Industry Relations

Speakers: Charles Stein (IEEE R5 Industry Relations), Christopher Sanderson (IEEE R5 Director Elect), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Tim Lee (IEEE USA President)

10:30 AM Government Relations, National to Local

Speaker: Walt Downing (IEEE R5 Government Relations)

11:00 AM IEEE Conferences

Speakers: Kelly Smith (Conferences, Events & Experiences @IEEE (CEE)), Jim Sipes (IEEE R5 Conferences Chair)

11:15 AM Mobilizing IEEE 2026 and Beyond!

Speakers: Bill Wylie (IEEE R5 Treasurer), Drew Lowery (IEEE MGA VP Elect), Fred Schindler (IEEE Past VP TAB), Gerardo Barbosa (IEEE Treasurer)

12:00 PM → 1:00 PM IEEE R5 Social Networking: Box Lunch

1:00 PM → 3:15 PM R5 Congress: Afternoon Sessions

Open to All in attendance

1:30 PM Purposeful Pathways, Affinity Groups

Speakers: Jenifer Castillo (IEEE R9 Director), Kathleen Kramer (IEEE President), Haley Hirschfield (IEEE R5 YP Coordinator), John Purvis (IEEE R5 Life Member Coordinator), K. Michelle Patrick-Krueger (IEEE R5 Women In Engineering Coordinator)

2:15 PM Spark Tank

Speakers: Tom Coughlin (IEEE Past President), Fred Schindler (IEEE Past VP TAB), Gerardo Barbosa (IEEE Treasurer), Kathleen Kramer (IEEE President), Tim Lee (IEEE USA President), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5)

3:00 PM → 5:00 PM IEEE R5 Social Networking: R5 Wichita Social

5:30 PM → 8:30 PM IEEE R5 Social Networking: Awards Banquet

Sun, March 30

8:00 AM → 9:30 AM IEEE R5 Social Networking: Networking Breakfast

9:15 AM Networking Breakfast Sunday Keynote

Speakers: Christopher Sanderson (IEEE R5 Director Elect), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5)

9:30 AM → 10:00 AM R5 Congress: Eta Kappa Nu Induction

Open to All in attendance

9:30 AM Eta Kappa Nu Induction

Speaker: Colleen Bailey (IEEE R5 SAC & IEEE HKN R5/6 Governor)

10:00 AM → 12:00 PM R5 Congress: Sunday FunDay

Open to All in attendance

10:00 AM R5 Stem Out Reach

Speakers: Case Kirk (IEEE R5 STEM #CASE), Lynn Francis (IEEE R5 External Affairs Engineer), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5)