Tell
us about your role in curating the Cloud Services and Solutions Track for the 2025
Internet2 Community Exchange. How do community members’ insights and expertise shape the
program?
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.
How
do the sessions in this year’s Cloud Track reflect the most pressing priorities and
opportunities for the R&E community?
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.
What
specific sessions or speakers in the Cloud Track are you most excited
about?
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.
Social events and in-person interactions are highlights of
the conference experience. What are you most looking forward to, and how does gathering
in person with peers across the R&E community add unique professional value for
you?
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.
As
someone deeply involved in shaping this year’s Community Exchange program, what do you
hope attendees take away from the conference overall?
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.