2026 Schedule
Tuesday, May 19 | Zachry Engineering Education Complex
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Conference check-in begins | Chevron Room Foyer
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Optional Tours, must pre-register
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch on your own
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Welcome & Workforce Overview, Dr. Cindy Lawley, Associate Agency Director for Workforce Development and Regional Divisions | Chevron Room
- Effective Research Team Creation and Management – Team SHIELD, TARC 2023 $10,000 award winner
- Hanover Research Overview & Tips, Mr. CJ Murphy, Hanover Research
- Elevator Pitch Strategies, Dr. Andrew Loring, Clinical Associate Professor, Mays Business School and Associate Director, Reynolds and Reynolds Sales Leadership Institute
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Refreshment Break
2:15 – 4:45 p.m.
Thematic Work Group Sessions Round One
Sessions focus on forming collaborative teams that meet the criteria to receive incentive funds.
- Energy and Power – Zachry, Room 240
- Health Care – Zachry, Room 260
- Manufacturing – Zachry, Room 211
- National Security – Zachry, Room 261
- Semiconductors – Zachry, Room 262
- Space – Zachry, Room 266
4:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Break
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Poster Sessions from Past TARC Winners and Reception | ConocoPhillips Atrium
Heavy hors d’oeuvres, 2 drink tickets and then cash bar, and entertainment.
Wednesday, May 20 | Zachry Engineering Education Complex
7:30 – 8:15 a.m.
Full Breakfast | Chevron Rooms
8:15 – 9:30 a.m.
Learning Sessions
- Combined Faculty Presentation | Chevron Room
Presented by: Dr. Sharmilla Pathikonda, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
Networking Break
9:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thematic Work Group Sessions Round Two | Continue with Box Lunches in Chevron Room
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Boxed Lunches | Chevron Rooms
1:30 p.m.
Completed Pitch Forms Due
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Optional Tour of Zachry Engineering Education Complex
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Timed Three-Minute Pitches begin | Chevron Room
4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Judges deliberate
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Announcement of Winners
