Florida’s Future Innovators Shine at Xfinity’s Annual Symposium for First-Generation College Students
Collaboration Between Comcast, Xfinity, Universal Pictures, Universal Destinations & Experiences, and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Immerses 250+ Students in the Wonders of STEAM
Xfinity and Google Team Up to Provide Students with One Year of Xfinity Mobile Service and a Free Google Pixel Pro XL
Florida was prominently represented at this year’s STEAM Symposium hosted by Comcast, Xfinity, Universal Pictures, Universal Destinations & Experiences, and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). Over 90 students from across the state were chosen to participate in the transformative four-day experience. Now in its 4th year, the STEAM Symposium – focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics – is designed to ignite curiosity and career ambition in first generation college-bound students. In total, more than 250 students from all over the country attended the event.
“The Xfinity Symposium showed me how innovation and leadership can open doors for students like me. It reminded me that success isn’t just about opportunity, it’s about what you choose to do with it.”
Jocelyn Torres, College Bound Institute.
Hosted at Universal Orlando Resort, the STEAM Symposium serves as a launchpad for future leaders, creators, and changemakers. Through hands-on learning, behind-the-scenes access, and direct engagement with industry professionals, the event empowers students to envision and pursue futures in STEAM.
“The STEAM Symposium is Xfinity’s premier experience designed to inspire and connect first-generation, college-bound, and students from low-income households with the careers and technologies of the future. Every year, the students get a behind-the-scenes look into the dynamic world that drives our company forward—sparking their imaginations and empowering them to pursue their own careers in STEAM.”
Kohposh Kuda, SVP and GM, Xfinity Mobile.
This year, students from across the country convened from Nov. 6-9 to hear from a wide range of Comcast NBCUniversal engineers, creatives, journalists, and executives. Through a bespoke STEAM curriculum, these industry experts shared insights into the intricate blend of creativity and technical expertise behind Universal’s biggest franchises, offering students valuable real-world perspectives.
“The Council for Opportunity in Education is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders. We’re proud to partner with Comcast NBCUniversal to bring the STEAM Symposium to life and reach students who might not otherwise have access to these kinds of transformative experiences. We hope this opportunity ignites a passion for STEAM and encourages them to explore careers they may not have considered before.”
Kimberly Jones, President of COE.
Professionals from the participating companies and organizations shared their own career journeys during the event, offering powerful insights and valuable advice while reflecting on the challenges they have overcome and the mentorships that guided them.
Throughout the 4-day event, students also got the opportunity to network with colleges, universities, and leading STEAM organizations. They engaged in hands-on demonstrations and explored the STEAM programs these institutions offer.
This year, Xfinity also surprised all 250 students with:
- Free Year of Xfinity Mobile: Every student attendee with Xfinity Internet service received a free year of Xfinity Mobile service.
- Google Pixel Pro XL Giveaway: In partnership with Google, each student received a premium Google Pixel Pro XL device, along with their free year of service. This $420,000+ investment reflects Xfinity’s deep commitment to digital opportunity.
- Laptop Distribution: More than $100,000 in laptops were distributed to students, ensuring they left the Symposium equipped with the tools to thrive in STEAM fields.
Florida’s student delegation included participants from college access programs affiliated with institutions such as College Bound Institute, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, Morehouse College, and Palm Beach State College.
“This trip has allowed me to see that there is more to the world than just science and technology. There are also art, communication, togetherness, and diversity. This trip has allowed me to realize I can and will belong in my area of study.”
Cailyn Martins, TRIO Upward Bound program participant at Palm Beach State College.