Behind the Cloud Track with Hellen Zziwa: Shaping an Unmissable CommEX25

Zziwa: Cloud adoption isn’t a one-time shift — it’s an ongoing journey. Harvard University Information Technology’s Hosting Services team has closed a data center, expanded into four public clouds, and continues refining our hybrid strategy. While we still manage two data centers, their role is evolving. 

As cloud grows in relevance to research, we’re leveraging our expertise to support researchers, learning their needs and adjusting our approach. Engaging with the Internet2 community helps us stay ahead of industry shifts, and serving on the Cloud Track planning committee has been a great opportunity for me to give back and help peers navigate their own cloud transformations.

Zziwa: Alongside my peers who also served on this year’s Cloud Track program planning committee, Kivanc Oner (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and Bob Flynn (Internet2), we decided that a structured, thematic approach would help focus on different strategic concerns. 

The track begins with cloud strategy and institutional transitions, exploring data center evolution, vendor shifts like VMWare migration, and optimizing infrastructure. It then shifts to research enablement and innovation, addressing gaps in research support, fostering IT-research collaboration, and leveraging cloud for institutional impact. Finally, the track tackles secure storage for research and workforce development, ensuring institutions can protect critical data while equipping teams with essential cloud skills. 

Ultimately, this approach allows the community to focus on a theme long enough to draw actionable insights.

Zziwa: One must-attend session is The Role of Cloud in your Data Center Strategy on Tuesday, April 29 which reframes cloud adoption within data center strategy, tackling total cost of ownership, demystifying costs, and exploring funding models. Another standout is Bridging the Gap: Aligning Expertise and Infrastructure in Research Support on Wednesday, April 30. The session addresses the disconnect between researchers adopting cloud and available campus resources.

I’m also excited about Scaling AI and Cloud Education on Thursday, May 1. It highlights the cloud skills gap — a crucial topic as AI and cloud computing become more integrated into R&E while institutions stretch resources. These sessions provide timely, practical insights, making them invaluable for those navigating cloud transformation and workforce development.

Zziwa: As a social introvert, large events can be overwhelming, but I enjoy one-on-one connections during breaks and spontaneous dinner gatherings. The intimate size of Community Exchange makes social interactions more manageable, allowing for deeper, more meaningful conversations. 

These informal moments often lead to unexpected collaborations and insights, providing a space to share challenges and solutions organically. Whether it’s a casual hallway chat or an impromptu dinner, these interactions foster valuable connections that extend beyond the event, strengthening the R&E community in ways structured sessions sometimes can’t.

Zziwa: Internet2 Community Exchange is a great place to see what peer institutions are working on. Whether you’re a technology leader or need to understand key tech concerns without deep dives, this event offers valuable insights. Discussions outside sessions are invaluable for networking and follow-ups. 

Come with questions — you’ll find thought leaders and peers eager to share knowledge. Be sure to plan ahead by reviewing sessions and explore beyond your track for unexpected insights. Tracks increasingly blur — emerging tech, cloud, networking, and security intersect in new ways. 

Stay open to diverse conversations, as they often spark innovative ideas that can shape your institution’s strategies.