Friday, February 6, 2026
Check-in Desk Opens | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The check-in desk will be open for distribution of ID cards and summit swags. Attendees are encouraged to check in early to ensure a smooth start to the summit.
Location: Live Oak Lobby
Host: ITE UCF Team
Networking & Resume Review Session | 3:00 PM – 4:20 PM
This interactive session provides students with the opportunity to connect with peers, industry professionals, and transportation leaders through guided and informal networking. Simultaneously, experienced professionals will offer personalized feedback on student resumes, focusing on formatting, content, and impact to strengthen job and internship applications.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Facilitators: Christopher Russo, Thuha Nguyen, Eric Gordin, Rafiur Rahman, Dr. Md Mobasshir Rashid, Jessica Josselyn, Kent Blunt, Hemant Yadav, Anita Vandervalk, Daniel Torre, Spencer Maddox
UCF Campus Tour | 4:30 PM – 5:50 PM
Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the University of Central Florida campus, highlighting key academic, cultural, and recreational landmarks.
Tour Stops: UCF SST Lab, Reflection Pond, Memory Mall, Arboretum
Location: UCF Campus
Host: ITE UCF Team
Welcome Reception & Event Kickoff | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The summit officially begins with a welcome reception bringing together students, faculty, and professionals. Opening remarks will set the tone for the event and highlight the vision of SLS 2026.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Speakers: Eric Gordin, Dr. Samiul Hasan, Dr. Kevin Mackie
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Check-in Desk Opens | 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Check-in continues with distribution of ID cards and summit swags for attendees.
Location: Live Oak Lobby
Host: ITE UCF Team
Breakfast & Morning Refreshments | 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
A light continental breakfast will be available for attendees to start the day and connect informally.
Location: Live Oak Lobby
Participants: All Attendees
SLS Welcome & Opening Remarks | 8:30 AM – 8:55 AM
The summit chair will formally welcome attendees, followed by opening remarks from a distinguished guest outlining the agenda and vision for the day.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Speakers: Tasnia Nasir (SLS Chair), Steve Kuciemba
Panel Discussion: Leading the Future of Mobility | 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
This inspiring panel brings together leaders from academia and industry to discuss how students and young professionals can take active roles in shaping the future of transportation systems.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Panelists: Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Steve Kuciemba, Gordon Meth, Jodi Godfrey (Moderator)
Technical Writing Workshop | 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
A focused workshop aimed at strengthening technical writing skills essential for professional reports, proposals, and transportation engineering documentation.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Speaker: Thuha Nguyen
Networking 101 Workshop | 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
This session provides practical strategies for building meaningful professional connections within the transportation industry.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Speaker: Jessica Josselyn
Career in Transportation Workshop | 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
An overview of diverse career paths, opportunities, and long-term growth prospects in the transportation sector.
Location: Magnolia Room
Speaker: Nicola Liquori
SLS Group Photo | 12:00 PM – 12:10 PM
A group photo session to capture memories from SLS 2026.
Location: Live Oak Garden
Participants: All Attendees
Lunch with Keynote Speaker: The Future of Transportation Workforce | 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
An engaging keynote luncheon featuring insights on workforce development, emerging needs, and future opportunities in transportation.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Keynote Speaker: FDOT District 5 Secretary John Tyler
Panel Discussion: Bridging the Industry–Academia Gap | 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
This discussion explores strategies to better align academic preparation with real-world industry expectations and skills.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Panelists: Dr. Md Sakoat Hossan, Dr. Cecilia Kadeha, Dr. Ash Omidvar
Moderator: Dr. Hatem Abou-Senna
Panel Discussion: Conquering Transportation Industry Challenges | 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
A candid and light-hearted session where professionals share real-world challenges and lessons learned from transportation projects.
Location: Magnolia Room
Panelists: Daniel Beaty, Eric Gordin, Patrick O’Connor
Moderator: Wendy Krehbiel
“Ask Me Anything” with Transportation Leaders | 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
An informal, interactive Q&A session allowing students to engage directly with senior transportation professionals and leaders.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Panelists: Christopher Russo, Claudio Figueroa, Rosana Correa
Moderator: Insan Arafat Jahan
Florida–Puerto Rico District Collegiate Traffic Bowl | 4:00 PM – 5:20 PM
A competitive and engaging quiz-style competition where student teams test their knowledge of transportation engineering and ITE practices.
Location: Magnolia Room
Coordinator: Usha Nadella and Team
Career Fair | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Students connect with sponsoring firms and hiring organizations to explore internships, full-time positions, and professional networking opportunities.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Participants: Sponsor Companies and Hiring Organizations
Evening Reception & Dinner | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
The summit concludes with an evening reception and dinner, providing a relaxed setting for final networking and reflection on the event.
Location: Live Oak Ballroom
Participants: All Attendees