By
Taleitha McGuinnis - Community Relationships Program Manager
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Internet2 is delighted to announce the eight recipients of the Internet2 Emerging Leaders (I2EL) Scholarship for the 2026 Internet2 Technology Exchange (TechEX26), taking place Oct. 26-30 in Minneapolis.
The I2EL Scholarship Program supports early-career professionals by offering intentional networking, cohort-based learning, and meaningful community engagement opportunities for future research and education (R&E) decision-makers.
Recipients join a small cohort of peers who attend their first Internet2 conference together, gaining professional development and career growth opportunities along the way. They also enjoy access to a wide range of conference sessions, spanning both technical topics and broader themes such as leadership, culture, and collaboration in IT.
For many scholarship recipients, an Internet2 conference is their first introduction to the collaborative R&E community. It often becomes a stepping stone in their career journey and an invaluable professional development experience.
The value extends well beyond the conference. This year, six I2EL Scholarship alumni are returning to join us at TechEX26, drawn back by the community connections the event offers. We are excited for their continued engagement and look forward to seeing them as they welcome our newest cohort into the community.
The TechEX26 I2EL Scholarship recipients are:
- Catherine Aguirre, technical developer at New York University
- Kanin Bender, research software developer at Indiana University
- Sai Manoj Vishal Budarthi, research network engineer at the University of Illinois Chicago
- Timothy Huber, research computing facilitator at the OU Supercomputing Center for Education & Research
- Christopher James Larsen, network administrator at University of Wyoming
- Emily Nic, project manager at Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, Carnegie Mellon University
- Brianna C. Savage, security specialist at the Northwest Regional Data Center, Florida State University
- Savannah Van Buren, security specialist at Merit Network
Read their bios to learn more about the I2EL Scholarship recipients.
Internet2 Community Leadership and Culture Lunch Session
The I2EL Scholarship recipients will be recognized on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Internet2 Community Leadership and Culture lunch session. James Wilgenbusch, director of research at the University of Minnesota AI Hub, and Dana Brunson, executive director of research engagement at Internet2, will lead a discussion about how AI is reshaping the ways research computing and cyberinfrastructure are structured, secured, and delivered across institutions.
The I2EL scholarships cover travel expenses, hotel accommodations, and event registration for TechEX26.
Funding for this year’s I2EL Scholarships was made possible by industry sponsors Microsoft, Nokia, Persona, and Internet2 community member Northern Tier Network Consortium, as well as Internet2.
We are grateful for the support and generosity of the R&E community in providing these important opportunities.
About the Author(s)
Taleitha is the Community Relationships Program Manager for Internet2. She has over 18 years of experience working in and with government entities. She also has experience in higher education and the private sector. Taleitha is passionate about engagement, partnership, collaboration, and programming that supports the development and growth of individuals and organizations she serves.