Shenandoah University Advanced Technology Students Thrive At Prestigious Conference
Three students were awarded scholarships, two presented VR projects at I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida
Last December, five Shenandoah University students attended the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training event, where two got to showcase their virtual reality projects and three were awarded scholarships.
Kadin Myers ’27 and Spencer Franklin ’26, both students in Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Science in virtual reality design program, each presented their projects at the 2025 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida, which drew approximately 18,000 attendees from over 55 countries. The group also included El Lillard ’27 (Bachelor of Arts in VR design), Carter Bell ’27 (B.S. in VR design), and Sam Barber ’26 (B.S. in engineering). The team helped run a booth in the exhibit hall and welcomed hundreds of guests, showcasing the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL), its projects, and SU’s various programs.
Franklin, who graduated in May, presented the flight simulator project he completed in a course taught by Mohammad Obeid, Ph.D., director of SU’s B.S. in VR design program and co-director of SCiL. Myers presented the interactive, cinematic VR experience he created in a class taught by Nathan Prestopnik, Ph.D., director of Shenandoah’s B.A. in VR design program and co-director of SCiL.
“Attending I/ITSEC 2025 provided me with countless opportunities and experiences that expanded my knowledge of the simulation and training industry,” Franklin said. “One of the highlights of the conference was going to all of the exhibits and trying out all of the products on display. Another major highlight of my I/ITSEC experience was being provided a platform to show off some of my own work that I completed during my time at Shenandoah University.”
Myers was one of the three Shenandoah students who received $5,000 I/ITSEC scholarships for excellent academic standing, alongside Lillard and Barber. All three students were recognized on stage, and their parents were in attendance.
“I remain thankful for having had the opportunity to attend I/ITSEC last December. I met and built connections with many intelligent and outstanding people whom I can look to for guidance and advice,” Myers said. “I was inspired by the many remarkable accomplishments I saw, and I am working hard to live up to the expectations that arose with my attendance.”
“Attending I/ITSEC was truly a surreal experience that opened my eyes to the incredible potential of creating immersive environments for testing vehicles and military operations. It vividly showcased the limitless opportunities within simulation engineering,” said Barber. “I will forever be grateful for the experience and, hopefully, future students will take advantage of the opportunity to attend.”
Dr. Obeid, who led the trip to I/ITSEC, helped establish a pilot program within the conference last year that spotlights the work being done at higher education institutions and opened the door for students to present their work at I/ITSEC, which is organized by the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) – an affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) – and leans heavily toward the global defense sector.
“I/ITSEC was a very fun and exciting opportunity. I got to meet so many people in a similar field, and even got to make some really cool connections that will be helpful for when I join the workforce,” said Lillard.
“I/ITSEC was a great trip. The AR/VR projects, the military sim training, and getting to network with people in the field was really cool and made it a trip I’ll remember,” Bell said.
I/ITSEC leadership recognized Shenandoah University during the conference’s university cohort meeting, Obeid said.
