AWS Education Champions: Transforming Academia Through Cloud Innovation

Amazon Web Services honors visionary leaders driving high-performance computing in higher education.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is proud to recognize the pioneering efforts of higher education leaders through its AWS Education Champions program. These trailblazers harness the power of high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud technology to tackle complex data challenges, drive innovation, and enhance educational outcomes. As part of this initiative, AWS celebrated these leaders at the recent AWS IMAGINE Conference at Austin, TX, highlighting their exceptional contributions to the academic community.

Celebrating Excellence in Cloud Technology

The AWS Education Champions program is a testament to AWS’s commitment to supporting higher education and public sector advancements through cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). According to Jan Day, AWS’s Higher Education Alliance and Community Manager, the program aims to “improve outcomes, build resilience, and accelerate progress in academic communities,” recognizing those who are leading the digital transformation in higher education.

Spotlight on Higher Education Leaders

Dan Alig, University of Pennsylvania

As CIO of the Wharton School, Dan Alig has seamlessly integrated technology with educational strategies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic’s transition to remote learning. His initiatives have advanced the school’s research and academic missions, ensuring robust and adaptable digital learning environments.

Sarah Christen, Cornell University

Deputy CIO Sarah Christen has been pivotal in managing and enhancing Cornell University’s IT infrastructure. Her work ensures the reliability and efficiency of IT operations, supporting the university’s extensive research and academic services.

Robert Grossman, University of Chicago

Robert Grossman, the Frederick H. Rawson Distinguished Service Professor in Medicine and Computer Science, is a leader in data science and machine learning. His research at the Center for Translational Data Science has been crucial in developing platforms for large-scale data analysis, contributing to significant advancements in medical and computational research.

Julian Mino, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

Julian Mino, Principal Cloud Architect, has led the University of St. Thomas through a remarkable digital transformation. His focus on strategic cloud adoption and secure cloud integration has established a strong foundation for future technological advancements.

Shruthi Sreenivasa Murthy, Saint Louis University

Assistant Director of Research Computing Shruthi Sreenivasa Murthy specializes in building scalable cloud solutions for complex data analysis. Her efforts to transition legacy systems to modern cloud-based infrastructures have significantly enhanced the university’s research capabilities.

Dr. Elizabeth Reilley, Arizona State University

As Executive Director of AI Acceleration, Dr. Elizabeth Reilley has spearheaded numerous digital transformation projects at Arizona State University. Her leadership has strengthened the university’s technological capabilities, supporting its academic and research missions with innovative AI solutions.

David Schober, Northwestern University

David Schober leads the Digital Initiatives and Data Curation team at Northwestern University. His work in developing open-source solutions and managing community-based projects within the university libraries has advanced digital curation and academic resource management.

Jon Shaw, Vanderbilt University

Jon Shaw, leading the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries, manages innovative library services and digital archives. His initiatives support diverse research and academic needs, promoting digital literacy and resource accessibility.

Driving Academic Excellence

These distinguished leaders exemplify the powerful impact of integrating high-performance computing and cloud technology in academia. Through their visionary efforts, they are paving the way for future advancements and greater educational achievements. Their dedication to innovation ensures that universities are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of data-driven research.

For more information on Amazon Web Services, please visit https://aws.amazon.com.

Some of the K-12 districts, state, and local government champions AWS has selected include:

  • Gwinnett County Public Schools
  • Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators
  • Region 4 Education Service Center
  • San Antonio Independent School District
  • City of Miami Beach, FL
  • City of San Diego, CA
  • County of Contra Costa, District Attorney’s Office
  • State of Arkansas, Administrative Office of the Courts
  • State of Missouri, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
  • State of North Carolina, Department of Health and Human Services


About AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments on a metered pay-as-you-go basis. AWS’s cloud services help organizations scale and grow, offering a robust infrastructure that supports a wide range of applications and services.

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