Melville, NY—Expanding its efforts to support higher education, Canon Solutions America, Inc., added Arizona State University to its Canon University Inkjet program. Canon Solutions America (CSA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon USA, Inc.
The semester-long initiative brings another prestigious institution into the fold for the University Inkjet program. Further, the program helps demonstrate Canon’s commitment to supporting the next generation of content creators.
Moreover, it offers students real-world experience and insight into today’s print industry trends. Through collaborative activities, students can see firsthand how the business of production printing operates to gain a better understanding of inkjet technology, production print service providers and how the industry continues to evolve.
“The Canon Solutions America University Inkjet program is a wonderful complement to our ASU GIT 250 Introduction to Commercial Print Technology course curriculum,” said Patricia Perigo, faculty associate of graphic information technology at Arizona State.
“The informative virtual lectures by the Canon team have brought the latest in their technology into the classroom. It is an immersive and excellent complement to our curriculum. The partnership with the Canon team has brought another tangible real-world experience to our Graphic Information Technology program that extends our own ASU Print and Imaging Lab and digital printing rotation.”
The University Inkjet program was launched in 2019 by Valentina Echavarria, a CSA category product specialist, as well as Melody Ownby, a product planning specialist. 
They created and executed the pilot program with their alma mater at Clemson. For their efforts, both were recognized in 2021 with the Girls Who Print Rising Star Award. Furthermore, their vision has now expanded to offer even more students opportunities to learn about potential careers in production print.
Canon University Inkjet Program at ASU
In early March 2023, Canon Solutions America representatives visited students in the program at Arizona State. It also hosted a tour of Phoenix-based District Photo, a CSA customer. Among the high-end, professional-grade equipment District Photo employs is the Canon ProStream 1800 webfed inkjet press. District Photo runs this press primarily for photo specialty applications.
“Working with the Canon Solutions America and ASU teams was a tremendous opportunity to engage and showcase the latest technologies to the next generation while creating excitement and introducing the students to a stable, growing industry,” said Scott Raymond, general manager, District Photo. “We have had excellent success with ASU graduates and hope to continue growing this partnership.”
Arizona State’s inclusion builds on the continued success of the University Inkjet program. It was originally established with Clemson University and includes a special print curriculum for Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) Typography and Page Design program.
What’s more, this month, Clemson students in the program visited fellow Canon Solutions America customer Amsive. That company utilizes both a Canon ColorStream 6000 series webfed inkjet press and a varioPrint i300 sheetfed inkjet press.
“Developing the industry’s next generation of leaders is important for ensuring a promising future,” said Francis McMahon, executive vice president, Production Print Solutions, CSA.
“We are excited that Arizona State is a member of the University Inkjet program, joining well-regarded schools such as Clemson University and Rochester Institute of Technology, to receive hands-on learning experiences that expand classroom instruction as Canon looks to push the graphic communications industry forward.”
Expanded Relationship with ASU
The expansion of the program builds on an ongoing relationship between Canon and Arizona State. ASU has had a managed print program since 2007. The relationship began with the goals of helping ASU become carbon neutral by 2025. It was a goal the university reached six years early, in 2019.
As part of that initiative, CSA replaced multiple desktop inkjet printers with fewer multifunction copiers across campus. It also helped the university switch to 100% recycled paper in all student print devices. The relationship continues with CSA supporting multiple sustainability projects and other philanthropic engagements at the university. 
In addition, ASU is invested in Canon camera technology. Moreover, it recently hosted David Hume Kennerly, a Canon Legend, to present his photography work to students.
“We are very pleased to be part of the Canon Solutions America University Inkjet program,” said Penny Ann Dolin, Professor of Practice, Graphic Information Technology program in the Polytechnic School, ASU.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience real-world design and print solutions. The Graphic Information Technology program is all about commercial application of creative content design . . . This kind of partnership is exactly the kind of opportunity I had in mind when developing this class.”
