CSU's Ard and Clark Honored for Expanding AI Research Network

Event summary

  • Kendra Ard (CIO) and Ed Clark (CIO) of CSU Chancellor’s Office win 2026 CENIC AIR Award for Engagement
  • Award presented at CENIC’s biennial conference in Monterey, CA (March 31–April 1, 2026)
  • CSU’s leadership enabled first 800 Gbps circuit at San Diego State University
  • 11 CSU campuses actively engaged with CENIC AIR, supporting 300+ faculty and thousands of students
  • California Community Colleges joining initiative to strengthen AI workforce development

The big picture

This recognition highlights the growing intersection of higher education and AI infrastructure development. CSU’s leadership in expanding high-bandwidth research networks positions California as a leader in academic AI innovation. The involvement of community colleges suggests a strategic focus on creating a vertically integrated tech workforce ecosystem.

What we're watching

Network Expansion
Whether CENIC can sustain the pace of 800 Gbps circuit deployments across additional CSU campuses.
Workforce Impact
How the inclusion of California Community Colleges will affect statewide AI talent pipeline development.
Research Output
The pace at which faculty-led AI projects translate into measurable academic and economic outcomes.

Related topics

Technology