Nebraska Career and Technical Education Conference 2026

Kick off the 52nd NCE Conference with a welcome from Nebraska's Commissioner of Education, Dr. Brian Maher and a keynote address from  Dr. Alyson Freeman. In this session, industry professional Dr. Alyson Freeman from Dell Technologies provides a direct, real-world perspective on the rapidly evolving workforce landscape in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Shifting the conversation from buzzwords to reality, Alyson will discuss how industry is actually deploying these tools today, what skills everyone needs, what it means for the workforce, and why educators are needed now more than ever. She will bridge the gap between high-tech innovation and essential CTE trades, demonstrating how the physical infrastructure of the AI era — from massive data centers to complex server environments — relies on skilled professionals in fields like construction, electrical work, and logistics. Drawing from her own non-linear career journey, she will highlight why durable skills such as teamwork, work ethic, and critical thinking remain the most vital assets for students transitioning from the classroom to a career in an increasingly automated world.