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Welcome to the GPN & ARE-ON Joint Conference 2026 schedule. Use this page to browse sessions, view speaker and session details, and build your personal agenda for June 22–24 in Rogers, Arkansas. Check back through May as additional sessions and details are added.
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Wednesday, June 24
 

7:00am CDT

Conference Breakfast

Conference breakfast is sponsored by Terabit sponsor, Fortinet. Fortinet will have a 15-minute meal speaking opportunity.

  • Continental Breakfast
  • Fresh Cut Fruit
  • Muffins and Scones
  • Chilled Orange Juice
  • Selection of Hot Teas and Coffee

  • Speakers
    BH

    Branden Henner

    Account Manager, Fortinet
    Sponsors
    avatar for Fortinet

    Fortinet

    Fortinet
    Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Learn more... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    7:00am CDT

    Conference Registration
    Registration
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 7:00am - 2:00pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Lobby 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    8:00am CDT

    Keynote: Transform IT, Transform Everything in the Higher Education Industry

    In this presentation, we will discuss external and internal forces that are dramatically changing the higher education ecosystem in conjunction with the exponential rate of change impacting IT. The impact of multiple and dynamic changes in funding, agentic AI, data quality, post-quantum encryption, culture, and ERPs, on pedagogy, research, and administration are core to the discussion. We will discuss how to successful to pivot an Education IT organization in this era of non-trivial transformation.
    Speakers
    avatar for Mark Roman

    Mark Roman

    Managing Partner for Education, Info-Tech Research Group
    Mark Roman is the Managing Partner for Education and works with members throughout the higher education and K-12 sectors around the world. He is responsible for the delivery of Info-Tech services to members and the alignment of research with the education sector's needs.

    https://w... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    8:45am CDT

    Sponsor Showcase & Peer Networking

    A short break with light refreshments.
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom I - IV 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    9:00am CDT

    Data-Ready Research: Leveraging Library Expertise in Supercomputing Applications

    How can you integrate your existing library personnel and resources into advancing the high-performance supercomputing and A.I. infrastructure on campus Conference keynoter Frank Wuerthwein and two GPN librarians and Software Carpentry instructors will explore how can become a key partner in supporting I.T. staff and research faculty. 

    Each year, GPN sets aside funding for 4 - 8 practitioners to be certified as software carpentry instructors. The Carpentries program is an international curriculum to provide curriculum and instruction to learn the skills of high-performance computing. Recent innovations have occurred within the program to make the training and implementation more accessible to all users. This and other innovations will be explored.


    Speakers
    avatar for Mark Laufersweiler

    Mark Laufersweiler

    Data Services Specialist, University of Oklahoma
    Dr. Mark Laufersweiler is in the process of retiring from his role since 2013 as the Data Services Specialist for the University of Oklahoma Libraries and head of the Data Services Unit. He has always had a strong interest in computers, computing, data and data visualization and things... Read More →
    avatar for David Molik

    David Molik

    Associate Professor and Librarian, Department Head, Open Publishing Exchange, Kansas State University
    As the department head for the Open Publishing Exchange, David leads efforts in scholarly communication, data curation, publishing and open-access initiatives. David works to advance strategies that enhance the long-term accessibility, integrity and impact of research and scholarly... Read More →
    avatar for Frank Wuerthwein

    Frank Wuerthwein

    Director, San Diego Supercomputer Center; CEO, Open Science Grid and the National Research Platform, University of California at San Diego

    Wednesday June 24, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador A & B 3303 South Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR, USA

    9:00am CDT

    IT Leadership Across Arkansas: Challenges and Priorities from the ARE-ON Member Community

    Senior IT leaders from ARE-ON member institutions share what's driving their priorities right now, from budget and staffing to AI adoption and cybersecurity. This panel offers an honest look at the state of campus IT across Arkansas. Moderated by ARE-ON Executive Director Elon Turner.

    Eddie Mahar - Associate VP of IT and CIO - Northwest Arkansas Community College
    Eric Boardway - Director of IT - National Park College
    Chris Lee - CIO - University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
    Jon Kelley - Associate VP, Technology - Art and Wellness Enterprises

    Moderators
    avatar for Elon Turner

    Elon Turner

    Executive Director, ARE-ON
    Elon has spent his entire career in education IT, with seven years in K-12 and thirteen years in higher education as both a technical practitioner and in technology leadership roles. He believes there is no greater way to impact the future of Arkansas and the quality of where he lives... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    9:45am CDT

    State of Research Cyberinfrastructure

    Find out the latest on research computing in your state, including what's available for you, your students, and your researchers. 
    Moderators
    avatar for Frank Wuerthwein

    Frank Wuerthwein

    Director, San Diego Supercomputer Center; CEO, Open Science Grid and the National Research Platform, University of California at San Diego

    Speakers
    avatar for Derek Weitzel

    Derek Weitzel

    University of Nebraska Lincoln

    avatar for Ryan Johnson

    Ryan Johnson

    Director of Research Computing, University of South Dakota
    avatar for Matthew Keeler

    Matthew Keeler

    Director, IT Research Support Solutions, University of Missouri
    avatar for Dan Andresen

    Dan Andresen

    Professor, Computer Science, and Department Head, Institute for Computational Research, Kansas State University
    Daniel Andresen is a professor of computer science at Kansas State University and director of the Institute for Computational Research.  Andresen’s research is in distributed systems, ranging from sensor networks monitoring bovine health levels to high performance computing systems... Read More →
    avatar for Brian Burkhart

    Brian Burkhart

    Chief Technology Officer, OneNet
    Brian Burkhart joined the OneNet team in November 1999 as a systems engineer. He currently serves as chief technology officer and coordinates the overall technical direction of OneNet. He also serves as principal investigator for OneNet’s National Science Foundation grant award... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    9:45am CDT

    Designing Networks for Student Housing

    This presentation will explore how Hewlett Packard Enterprise Networking solutions are helping transform student housing environments through AI-driven connectivity, automation, and security. We’ll discuss how modern campus networks can improve resident experiences, streamline IT operations, and support the growing demand for smart devices and high-bandwidth applications. Attendees will also learn how AI-powered analytics and management tools can proactively identify issues, optimize performance, and enhance operational efficiency across student living communities. The session will include practical use cases, emerging trends, and strategies for building scalable, future-ready housing networks.
    Speakers
    avatar for Zak Chalupka

    Zak Chalupka

    HPE Networking Principal Architect, HPE
    Sponsors
    avatar for HPE

    HPE

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise
    HPE is the global leader in secure, intelligent edge-to-cloud networking solutions that use AI to automate the network, while harnessing data to drive powerful business outcomes. With Aruba ESP (Edge Services Platform) and as-a-service options, Aruba takes a cloud-native approach... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador A & B 3303 South Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR, USA

    9:45am CDT

    Infrastructure Engineering for Efficiency and Performance

    As organizations scale AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and data-intensive workloads, traditional air-cooling methods are increasingly challenged by rising power densities and thermal demands. Liquid cooling technology offers a transformative approach to data center infrastructure, enabling organizations to achieve higher performance while improving energy efficiency and sustainability outcomes. This session explores how Lenovo's advanced liquid cooling solutions help organizations optimize compute performance, reduce energy consumption, and increase rack density without compromising reliability.
    Speakers
    KG

    Kevin Grissom

    HPC Solution Architect, Lenovo
    Sponsors
    avatar for Lenovo

    Lenovo

    Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador C 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    10:30am CDT

    Sponsor Showcase & Peer Networking

    A short break with light refreshments.
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 10:30am - 10:45am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom I - IV 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    10:45am CDT

    State of the State Networks

    Leaders from state research and education networks across the Great Plains Network region will give brief updates on what's driving their work and strategy. Each network representative covers the priorities, projects, and challenges shaping their state's R&E network, offering a fast-moving, multi-state view of where the region is headed.
    Moderators
    avatar for John Hennessey

    John Hennessey

    Asociate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology & OneNet | CIO, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
    Speakers
    avatar for Scott Ramoly

    Scott Ramoly

    Chief Technology Officer, ARE-ON
    Chief Technology Officer – ARE-ON
    Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network
    avatar for Chris Kolsrud

    Chris Kolsrud

    Chief Technology and Security Officer, SD Board of Regents
    avatar for Andrew Buker

    Andrew Buker

    Assistant Vice President, Infrastructure Services, University of Nebraska System
    Andrew is an Assistant Vice President at the University of Nebraska System, leading Infrastructure Services.
    avatar for Natasha Angell

    Natasha Angell

    Executive Director, MOREnet
    avatar for Chris Crook

    Chris Crook

    KanREN
    KanREN, the national leader in public service connectivity, provides Internet and
    network technologies to research, education, and public service institutions in
    Kansas. Connect to the exclusive high-speed network that connects Research,
    Education and Community Anchors throughout Ka... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    10:45am CDT

    OAK Supercomputing Center: Resources Overview

    The OAK Supercomputing Consortium's Cimarron high-performance computing system is nearing operational status and will be available at no cost to researchers at institutions across Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Chris Frennell, Interim Director of the OAK Supercomputing Consortium, provides an overview of Cimarron's capabilities, how regional researchers can gain access, and what the consortium's shared infrastructure model means for HPC availability across the three-state area.
    Speakers
    avatar for Christopher Fennell

    Christopher Fennell

    Interim Director, OAK Supercomputing Consortium, OSU

    Wednesday June 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador C 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    10:45am CDT

    Resilient IT: Winning with People and Process

    This keynote presents research on how IT organizations can build resilience in the face of environmental turbulence by focusing on the foundational pillars of IT service quality (people) and IT governance (process). Drawing on a study of 157 IT leaders, it demonstrates that resilience is not reactive, but proactively developed through mature governance practices and a strong service culture. Attendees will gain practical, research-backed insights on how to strengthen their IT organizations to adapt, recover, and lead through disruption.

    Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable framework to strengthen IT organizational resilience by intentionally advancing IT service quality (people) and IT governance maturity (process), enabling them to lead their organizations more effectively through disruption.

    Meeting Audience: CIOs / CTOs, VPs of IT
    Speakers
    avatar for Wesam Helou

    Wesam Helou

    Chief Information Officer, Cleveland State University
    Dr. Wesam Helou is a cabinet-level Chief Information Officer, national speaker, and practitioner-scholar whose career sits at the intersection of enterprise technology leadership and organizational resilience. Known for building high-performing organizations and driving transformational... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador A & B 3303 South Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR, USA

    11:30am CDT

    State of Higher Ed Cybersecurity

    Higher education institutions face growing cyber threats amid limited resources and complex environments. This panel brings together cybersecurity leaders to share practical approaches for implementing best practices, prioritizing risk, and maximizing impact with constrained teams and budgets.
    Panelists will also discuss strategies for communicating cyber risk to leadership and managing the opportunities and challenges of AI within academic environments. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across their institutions.

    Moderators
    avatar for Chad Johnson

    Chad Johnson

    Director of Cybersecurity, ARE-ON
    Speakers
    TS

    Tamya Stallings

    Director of Computer Services, Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
    avatar for Bryan Carnahan

    Bryan Carnahan

    CIO, University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain
    avatar for Ryan Hoffman

    Ryan Hoffman

    Director of Information Systems, North Arkansas College
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    11:30am CDT

    Birds of a Feather: Resources and Funding to Support Advanced Cyberinfrastructure

    Join this conversation with veterans and newcomers to the field of project management and grants acquisition to explore ideas and options as the funding scenarios for science and education evolve. 
    Speakers
    avatar for Dana Brunson

    Dana Brunson

    Executive Director for Research Engagement, Internet2
    Dr. Dana Brunson is Executive Director for Research Engagement at Internet2, where she leads a team that advances research and education through national cyberinfrastructure. She is an advocate for researchers, educators, and the research computing and data (RCD) professionals who... Read More →
    avatar for Amy Apon

    Amy Apon

    Program Director, National Science Foundation
    Amy Apon has been a Program Director in the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure since January 2023. She is the lead Program Director for the Campus Cyberinfrastructure program. Apon joined NSF through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act in January 2023 from Clemson University... Read More →
    avatar for Dan Andresen

    Dan Andresen

    Professor, Computer Science, and Department Head, Institute for Computational Research, Kansas State University
    Daniel Andresen is a professor of computer science at Kansas State University and director of the Institute for Computational Research.  Andresen’s research is in distributed systems, ranging from sensor networks monitoring bovine health levels to high performance computing systems... Read More →
    avatar for Nick Eggleston

    Nick Eggleston

    IT Architect, Kansas State University

    Wednesday June 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador A & B 3303 South Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR, USA

    12:15pm CDT

    Lunch & Final Sponsor Showcase

    Final sponsor showcase open during lunch.
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 12:15pm - 12:45pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    12:45pm CDT

    Closing Remarks & Thank You

    Closing remarks from GPN and ARE-ON leadership. Final sponsor recognition and giveaways.
    Speakers
    avatar for Mickey Slimp

    Mickey Slimp

    Executive Director, Great Plains Network
    Recently joined GPN after working on NTIA, HUD, and HRSA grants in Texas. Now constructing a home near UAMS, UALR, and Philander Smith University in Little Rock.
    avatar for Elon Turner

    Elon Turner

    Executive Director, ARE-ON
    Elon has spent his entire career in education IT, with seven years in K-12 and thirteen years in higher education as both a technical practitioner and in technology leadership roles. He believes there is no greater way to impact the future of Arkansas and the quality of where he lives... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:15pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    1:15pm CDT

    ****CANCELLED*****Workshop: Designing Secure by Default Learning Environments

    This workshop is cancelled.
    Speakers
    SR

    Shankar Ravi

    Associate Professor, Computer Science, Northwest Arkansas Community College

    Wednesday June 24, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    1:15pm CDT

    *Tour (I³R) — University of Arkansas (SHUTTLE)

    *Max Attendee Tickets Available:30
    SHUTTLE IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS TOUR (To and From the Embassy)

    Tour the I³R (Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research) facility on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville. Established through a $194.7 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, I³R pioneers solutions to complex problems through convergence research across academic, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors. The 144,000-square-foot building includes state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborative workspaces designed for cross-cutting, multidisciplinary research, with capabilities spanning data science, health technology, immersive experience, and XR labs, and advanced computational modeling. Shuttle transportation from Embassy Suites is provided.

    IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
    Attendees must first complete their Joint Conference registration prior to attending this Tour. In addition, pre-registration for thisTour is required at: https://gpnandareonjointconference2026.eventbrite.com/
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 1:15pm - 3:45pm CDT
    University of Arkansas — I3R Facility

    1:15pm CDT

    *Workshop: Introduction to Deploying and Scaling Data-Intensive Workloads with Docker and Kubernetes on the National Research Platform

    Max Attendee Tickets Available:40
    *IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
    Attendees must first complete their Joint Conference registration prior to attending this workshop. In addition, pre-registration for this workshop session is required at: https://gpnandareonjointconference2026.eventbrite.com/

    Data-Intensive workloads are becoming ever more common in both research and education across the country. However, the necessary skills and technologies needed to optimize these workloads are too often overlooked. In this tutorial, the GP-ENGINE team will provide an overview of containerization, docker, distributed computing, and Kubernetes for data-intensive workload optimization using the National Research Platform (NRP). Participants will gain hands-on experience utilizing the NRP to perform data-intensive workloads and gain insight into how to build and accelerate their own workloads.

    Participants will gain knowledge and insight in utilizing the National Research platform to run, scale, and accelerate research workflows.

    Audience: HPC & Research Computing Professionals, Faculty and Academic Researchers, New and Emerging IT Professionals
    Speakers
    avatar for Caughlin Bohn

    Caughlin Bohn

    HPC Outreach and Training Specialist, UNL Holland Computing Center
    Caughlin Bohn is the HPC Outreach and Training Specialist for the Holland Computing Center at the University of Nebraska. In his role at the University, he is responsible for developing and organizing training programs for University of Nebraska to enhance the cyberinfrastructure... Read More →
    Wednesday June 24, 2026 1:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador C 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

    1:15pm CDT

    *Workshop: perfSONAR Workshop

    *Max Attendee Tickets Available:30
    IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
    Attendees must first complete their Joint Conference registration prior to attending this workshop. In addition, pre-registration for this workshop session is required at: https://gpnandareonjointconference2026.eventbrite.com/

    Description:  This hands-on tutorial will walk participants through the process of setting up a perfSONAR test point, central archive and dashboard to make measurements and view the results.  The tutorial will be led by one of perfSONAR's core developers and will also be a great chance to ask questions.  Participants will need to provide a laptop with a working secure shell (SSH) client.  Mac users will have one built in; Windows users can install PuTTY, available at https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html
    Speakers
    avatar for Mark Feit

    Mark Feit

    Principal software engineer, Internet2

    Wednesday June 24, 2026 1:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
    Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Ambassador A & B 3303 South Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR, USA
     
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