MARION, Ohio — Educators, industry professionals, and community partners are invited to a free, interactive program, Community of Learning: Building the Pipeline from Education to Industry, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Morrill Hall, Room 200, on the Marion campus.
The event will examine how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of learning and workforce development, featuring panel discussions with leaders from K–12, higher education, and industry.\
Designed for anyone interested in the evolving role of AI in classrooms and career pathways, the program offers a collaborative space to explore emerging technologies and their impact on talent development across sectors. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts, ask questions, and connect with regional partners working at the intersection of education and innovation. The flyer notes it is “a free interactive event exploring how AI is shaping pathways from classroom to career, featuring panel discussions with leaders from industry, K‑12, and higher education.”
The event features a panel of experts from across the central Ohio business and education landscape, including Ohio State Marion Associate Professor of Computer Science Dr. Golrokh Mirzai, whose research focuses on pattern recognition, machine learning, image and signal processing, and biomedical imaging and neuroscience; Micky Harvey, a programming analyst at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group whose work in software and data systems reflects the growing role of technology and automation in the insurance industry; Dr. Michael Martin, principal of Buckeye Central High School, who brings extensive experience in K–12 education and leadership with an emphasis on preparing students for evolving academic and career pathways; and Jim Parobek, president of Marion General Hospital and Hardin Memorial Hospital, who offers deep expertise in healthcare leadership and a commitment to strengthening workforce development and community partnerships in the region.
Victoria Holbrook, the NSF Grant Program Coordinator at Marion Tech who is one of a group of people helping organize the event said, “AI is quickly changing the skills and roles needed in today’s workforce, so education has to evolve alongside it. This kind of collaboration helps make sure students are prepared for real-world expectations, not just the classroom.”
Refreshments will be provided, and participants are encouraged to RSVP by June 5, 2026, at go.osu.edu/building-ai. For questions, contact Victoria Holbrook at 740‑386‑4125 or holbrookv@mtc.edu.
The event is co‑sponsored by the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Technical College, and the National Science Foundation, connected to NSF Award Abstract #2500324: Empowering Rural Communities Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education and Workforce Development.