Internet2 Inclusivity Scholarship Recipients Reflect on Their Experience at 2023 Technology Exchange

“Meeting five other remarkable women like me, all scholarship recipients, fostered an immediate sense of camaraderie and understanding. These newfound friendships were not only meaningful but also empowering, reminding me of the strength that arises when diverse voices come together. The I2I Scholarship enabled me to attend the conference and served as a beacon of encouragement, reinforcing the belief that my presence and contributions are valued in the IT field.”

– Shweta Chauhan, Faculty Support Specialist, San Diego State University

“The 2023 Internet2 Technology Exchange program represented multiple firsts for me: My first trip to Minneapolis, my first interaction with Internet2, and my first in-person professional conference. A true highlight of the Technology Exchange was having the opportunity to connect with others in the field, whether Internet2 staff members, the mentors with whom we had breakfast and lunch, or my fellow scholarship recipients. Everyone had great advice to offer, and I was amazed by how closely the insights from other women in the field aligned with my own observations.”

– Emily Kasbohm, Senior Web Developer, Brown University

“I learned far more than I expected and was able to participate in a tabletop exercise and thought-provoking conversations with individuals from across the globe. After this recent experience, I’ve created an intention to continue to attend both Community Exchange and Technology Exchange in the future. I look forward to seeing everyone again in March at the next Community Exchange!”

– Becca Kingery, Education IT Manager, Nebraska Office of the CIO and Network Nebraska

“TechEX provided me with a platform to engage with the latest advancements in advanced networking, cloud technology, identity and access management, and information security. It was a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, industry experts, and enthusiasts. Meeting professionals from diverse backgrounds and exchanging ideas and experiences was incredibly stimulating.”

– Ayat Mohammed, Computational Scientist in Advanced Research Computing, Virginia Tech

“I enjoyed attending a wide variety of sessions in different tracks, as I found this to be valuable for learning and growing in areas that I’m not as involved in during my day-to-day tasks. This gave me the opportunity to gather valuable information that will benefit not only my own work but also the work of my colleagues. Aside from the wealth of information, I found one of the most valuable aspects of the conference to be the sense of community. We can often feel siloed within our institutions, offices, or specific teams. The conference really brought together a larger sense of community across the country and even a few other countries across the world. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the community.”

– Jessica Krause, IT Reporting Analyst, University of Massachusetts Amherst

“The Internet2 conference was a rewarding and enriching experience for me as an I2I awardee. I had the opportunity to meet and get to know more of the Internet2 community, including the current and previous I2I awardees, the Internet2 staff, and the mentors. This was my first conference, and I felt less intimidated thanks to the bond I formed with this year’s awardees. The Internet2 staff and the mentors were welcoming and helpful, and I enjoyed learning about their career paths and advice.”