As we open registration for MS-CC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, we thought it would be a good idea to look back at last year’s meeting, which inspired and motivated attendees to pursue innovations in cyberinfrastructure.
The 2025 Annual Meeting brought together community members from across higher education who are working diligently to build stronger research, teaching, and community connections through powerful cyberinfrastructure. The 2025 gathering proved why these meetings matter- not just for the technology we build, but for the communities we serve.
Last year’s opening keynote address delivered a powerful reminder that digital infrastructure isn’t just about technology- it’s about people. A passionate educator, strategist, and advocate for equity in STEM, our featured speaker, Dr. Karen Colbert, General Education Department Chair and Lead Math Faculty at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, brought insight into how culture, courage, and community are shaping the future of research and education networks.
Artificial Intelligence dominated much of the 2025 Annual Meeting and will definitely be a prominent subject matter in this year’s annual meeting – and for good reason. As institutions across our community explore how to incorporate AI in their cybersecurity strategies, the questions around security, privacy, ethics, and response research have never been more pressing.
One of the standout sessions emphasized integrating ethics and transparency throughout the AI development lifecycle, encouraging open dialogue between policymakers, technologists, and the public.
Developing and maintaining cyberinfrastructure research at MSIs demands leadership capable of addressing systemic disparities while advancing innovation. A compelling panel session brought together leaders who are doing exactly that – shaping, supporting, and evolving cyberinfrastructure in ways that reflect their unique mission and community.
The conversation explored a range of perspectives on what it takes to build capacity and foster collaboration with institutional goals. Panelists offered an open and honest dialogue about what it means to adapt in today’s higher education landscape. For attendees, it was a powerful reminder that there is no “one size fits all” approach to CI development, and that the most effective strategies are those rooted in the communities they serve.
What makes our Annual Meeting special isn’t just the content- it’s the connections. This event creates space for practitioners, strategists, and visionaries to learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and leave with new ideas to bring back to their institutions.
These are just a few of the subjects we will explore as we take a glance back at MS-CC’s 2025 Annual Meeting and march forward toward our 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans – one of the most vibrant and rich cities in the country. This event offers expanded AI programming, new networking opportunities, and more hands-on workshops and community sessions.
Registration is now open. Stay tuned for updates on speakers, sessions, presentations, and more.
Sidney Davis
Communications Manager
Internet2 | MS-CC