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Lisa Schwartz, Regional Educational Technology coordinator for the West Central Region at the Learning Technology Center (LTC), speaks at the conference.
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Tahir Khan, WIU associate professor and interim director of the WIU Cybersecurity Center, speaks at the Administrators’ Round Table of Western Illinois Educational Summit.
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Western Illinois University Hosts Regional Education Summit

March 11, 2026

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MACOMB, IL – The Administrators' Round Table of Western Illinois held its annual Education Summit at Western Illinois University on February 6, bringing together approximately 50 regional superintendents and principals for a timely discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence in K-12 education.

The Administrators' Round Table of Western Illinois was established in 1963 to foster collaboration among superintendents and educational leaders. It was founded to promote best practices in education through research, shared experiences, collaborative problem-solving and the thoughtful adoption of emerging technologies. It continues to serve as a vital forum for educational leadership across the region.

The first roundtable of the semester focused on the rapid transformation of education through AI technologies. As AI tools increasingly shape instructional design, teaching practices and administrative processes, educational leaders are called to understand both the opportunities and the security vulnerabilities associated with their use.

Panelists for the session included Lisa Schwartz, Regional Educational Technology coordinator for the West Central Region at the Learning Technology Center (LTC), and Tahir Khan, associate professor and interim director of the WIU Cybersecurity Center. Together, they addressed critical topics such as responsible AI integration, data privacy concerns, cybersecurity considerations and the development of policies that support ethical and effective AI implementation in schools.

"Artificial Intelligence is transforming the educational landscape at an unprecedented pace," organizers noted. "It is essential for school leaders to remain informed about both the risks and the instructional potential of these technologies to ensure responsible and impactful use in classrooms."

The summit reaffirmed the longstanding mission of the Administrators' Round Table: to provide educational leaders with research-informed strategies, opportunities for professional exchange and collaborative solutions to complex challenges facing today's schools.

The next Administrators' Roundtable, the 32nd WIU Law Conference, is scheduled for Friday, April 17 at WIU and will include attorneys from several law firms.

For more information about the roundtable event, contact the WIU School of Education at wiu.edu/education.

Posted By: Aaron Viner (AP-Viner@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing