Building a Sustainable Immersive Technology Ecosystem - A Statewide Model for Higher Education: Leveraging Immersive Technology for Educational Outcomes and Workforce Development

Abstract

This presentation explores the development and implementation of a statewide immersive technology ecosystem across all of Wyoming’s higher education institutions—the first initiative of its kind. The project demonstrates how a strategic, collaborative approach can address barriers to immersive technology adoption and drive educational innovation. By focusing on foundational components such as hardware access, faculty training, institutional support, and inter-institutional collaboration, the program aims to foster improved educational outcomes and workforce readiness.

A comprehensive landscape analysis, conducted through in-person visits to all nine institutions, identified early adopters, challenges, and areas for growth. This analysis led to the creation of a detailed strategy report and a scoring rubric to guide the distribution of $1.3 million in funding. More than 30 grant applications were reviewed, resulting in 17 awarded projects, including multi-institutional collaborations designed to maximize the program’s reach and impact.

This presentation highlights the strategies employed to align immersive technology initiatives with Wyoming’s economic and educational priorities, emphasizing key industries such as energy, tourism, and agriculture. Additionally, the session outlines lessons learned, challenges encountered, and best practices for building a sustainable, collaborative ecosystem that can serve as a scalable model for other states and institutions.

Attendees will gain insights into leveraging immersive technology for workforce development, expanding program visibility, and fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term success.