NY Design Educators Summit at NY Creates

    Thursday, May 21, 2026
    10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Albany NanoTech Complex, 257 Fuller Rd., Albany, New York, 12203

    Overview

    As integrated circuits continue to shape nearly every aspect of global business and daily life—from consumer products and communications to transportation, healthcare, and defense—the need to develop and attract IC design talent in New York State represents a significant opportunity for growth.

    The NYDesign Educators Summit brings together educators, industry leaders, and institutional partners from across the state to explore how we can collectively build a strong pipeline of semiconductor design talent in New York.

    This one-day summit will provide an opportunity to:

    • Learn about NYDesign programming and impact
    • Explore partnerships and implementation opportunities
    • Connect with peers across education and industry
    • Discuss strategies to expand IC design education statewide

    Why This Matters

    New York has made major investments in semiconductor research and manufacturing, including:

    • $25B+ in R&D at NY Creates’ Albany Nanotech Complex with leading industry partners
    • $20B+ in semiconductor fabrication at GlobalFoundries in Malta, NY
    • A projected $100B+ Micron Technology campus in Clay, NY
    • Expansion opportunities at Wolfspeed facilities in Marcy, NY
    • 10,000+ construction and supply chain jobs statewide

    While progress has been significant, critical gaps remain in IC design, test, and packaging—areas that represent both a challenge and a major opportunity for future growth.

    NYDesign is working to help fill this gap by building a strong, in-state design talent pipeline.

    Agenda

    10:00 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions

    10:20 a.m. | Advanced Electronics in New York 

    10:40 a.m. | NY Design Program Overview 

    11:40 a.m. | Experience & Testimonials

    12:00 p.m. | Lunch

    1:30 p.m. | Industry Panel

    2:30 p.m. | Break

    3:00 p.m. | Educators Panel

    4:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks

    View the Full Agenda Here

    Confirmed Speakers

    LaMar Hill, NY Design Co-Executive Director

    David Rooney, NY Design Co-Executive Director

    Dan Fiumara, NY Design Director of Instruction

    Theresa O’Connor, NY Design Instructor

    Laura Holmes, Vice Principal, Redemption Christian Academy

    Michael DiMezza, Deputy Superintendent, HFM BOCES

    Industry Panel Moderator:
    Robert Mains, Executive Director, CHIPS Alliance (Retired)

    Educators Panel Moderator:
    Michael Hutchinson, LTC, U.S. Army (Retired)

    Register to Attend

    Join us to learn how NYDesign can support your institution and students, and be part of shaping the future of semiconductor education in New York.

    About NY Design

    NYDesign, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was established to position New York as a leading training ground for a diverse and expanding pipeline of IC designers.

    Through its customized, hands-on workshop program—delivered by student instructors from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute—NYDesign has already engaged more than 400 students across New York State, from grades 8–12 through graduate level.

    Participants:

    • Gain exposure to career pathways in advanced electronics
    • Use open-source tools to design, test, and fabricate their own chips
    • Participate at no cost, making access equitable and scalable