2025 Region 5 Congress and Student Competitions, Wichita, KS

Mar 28, 2025, 1:00 PM → Mar 30, 2025, 1:00 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! 
Submission Due Friday March 21st 11:59PM CST

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 background and rules.pdf

Fri, March 28

1:00 PM → 8:00 PM Registration

3:00 PM → 6:00 PM PreConference: RF Fox

Conveners: Art Depoian (IEEE R5 Secretary), Ben Hand (IEEE R5 Student Representative), Colleen Bailey

3:00 PM Hunt 1

4:30 PM Hunt 2

3:00 PM → 5:00 PM PreConference: Region 5 Conference Committee Meeting

Convener: Jim Sipes (IEEE R5 Conferences Chair)

3:00 PM → 5:30 PM Student Competitions: Robotics Adjustments and Trials

Student Competitions

4:00 PM → 5:00 PM PreConference: IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Information Session

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

6:00 PM Wichita/R5 Welcome

Welcome to the R5 Congress!! If you would like to learn more before you arrive, feel free to watch my introductory video

Speakers: Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Mark Hunter (IEEE Wichita Chair), John Watkins (IEEE R5 2025 Chair)

francis-intro-v1.pdf

6:15 PM IEEE USA

Speaker: Tim Lee (IEEE USA President)

IEEE-USA_R5_AGM.pptx

Sat, March 29

7:00 AM → 6:00 PM Registration

7:15 AM → 9:00 AM IEEE R5 Social Networking: Networking Breakfast

8:30 AM Networking Breakfast Saturday Presidential Keynotes

Speakers: Kathleen Kramer (IEEE President), Mary Ellen Randall (IEEE President Elect)

KK 29 March Region 3 & 5.pdf

MER 29 March Region 3 & 5.pdf

7:30 AM → 4:00 PM Student Competitions: Robotics

Student Competitions

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)

Region5 Congress - RollCall -Voting Members - All Sessions.pptx.pdf

9:10 AM Region 5 Executive Committee Recess Appointments Vote

Presentation for 'pre read' here:
Video

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

2025-04 - IEEE R5 Committee Motion - francis - V1.pdf

9:20 AM 2025 Region 5 Budget Vote

Budget Presentation/Motion (Delegates/voting members)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3luHA65jAo

Budget Questions Submission Form -
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdN_Hi_kamQ9w_ZYhh5QKbd481K7TBRNhLH6TJ6J2OALi4SGA/viewform?usp=dialog

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

2025-04 - IEEE R5 Committee Motion - francis - V1.pdf

9:30 AM Region 5 Executive Session

Executive Committee ONLY

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

9:50 AM Region 5 Business

Any other Business of the Region

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

sanderson-selectionprocess.pptx

9:00 AM → 4:00 PM Student Competitions: Circuits

Student Competitions

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

Student Competitions

9:00 AM → 11:00 AM Student Competitions: Presentations

Student Competitions

9:30 AM → 9:50 AM Morning Break

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), James Ramirez (IEEE Corporate), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Tim Lee (IEEE USA President)

Industry_engagement_Lee.pptx

10:30 AM Government Relations, National to Local

Speakers: Diane Collier (IEEE R5 PACE), Walt Downing (IEEE R5 Government Relations)

2025 IEEE R5 Government Relations - National to Local.pdf

2025 IEEE R5 Government Relations - National to Local.pptx

10:50 AM IEEE Conferences

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

IEEE CEE_Region 5_PPT.pdf

11:10 AM 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), Michelle Patrick-Krueger (IEEE), Ben Hand (University of North Texas), Scott Tamashiro (IEEE R6 Director Elect)

10:00 AM → 3:00 PM Student Competitions: Cyber

Student Competitions

11:00 AM → 12:00 PM Student Competitions: 3MT

Student Competitions

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

1:00 PM → 4:05 PM R5 Congress: Afternoon Sessions

Open to All in attendance

1:00 PM Region 5 by the Numbers: What is Working

Region 5 has piloted vitality dashboards to track activity, like events, across the region by section, affinity groups, chapters and branches.

Now that we know the numbers - Let's have a deep dive - what's working?
Co-led with Drew Lowery, VP Elect, MGA

Speakers: Drew Lowery (IEEE MGA), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5 Director)

By the numbers.pdf

1:15 PM IEEE MGA

Speaker: Drew Lowery (IEEE MGA VP Elect)

MGA, Region 5 Meeting, 29 March 2025.pptx

1:30 PM 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)

IEEE Treasurer Remarks (R5).pptx

Intro - Lowery and MGA.pdf

intro - schindler and tab r5.pdf

2:20 PM SparkTank

Speakers: Fred Schindler (IEEE Past VP TAB), Kathleen Kramer (IEEE President), Tim Lee (IEEE USA President), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Gerardo Barbosa (IEEE Treasurer), Diane Collier (IEEE R5 PACE)

BenSparktank.pdf

ChallengeCoinDirective.pdf

OSIEEE.pdf

SpTrkankPitch_Evan Glover.pptx

SummerCampProposal.pdf

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

5:05 PM → 5:25 PM Region 5 Group Photo

5:30 PM → 9:30 PM IEEE R5 Social Networking: Awards Banquet

6:40 PM Student Competitions Results

Speakers: Arun Manoharan (IEEE R5 2025 Student Competitions Chair), Ben Hand (IEEE R5 Student Representative), Colleen Bailey, Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), John Watkins (IEEE R5 2025 Chair)

7:00 PM Awards Program

Speakers: Silke Spiesshoefer (IEEE R5 Awards & Recognition Chair), Matt Francis (IEEE Region 5), Drew Lowery (IEEE MGA VP Elect)

2025-03 2026 GT - R5 Welcome.pptx

Region5 Congress - Director Intro.pptx

7:30 PM Region 5 Congress and Student Competitions 2026 and 2027

Speakers: Christopher Sanderson (IEEE R5 Director Elect), Ian MacMillan (IEEE R5 Membereship)

Sun, March 30

7:00 AM → 12:00 PM Registration

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)