Southwestern College has announced extensive upgrades to the campus networking systems and technology infrastructure. The college’s investment will modernize, automate, and secure networking and wireless infrastructure across campus in a way that is focused on improving the student and faculty experience. Work has already begun on the project.

“Now more than ever technology plays a strategic role in and is an integral part of the academic experience at Southwestern,” said Dean Clark, executive vice president. “The need to work and learn remotely this past spring, illustrated the importance of investing in our technological systems on campus. The investment in this project will position the college well for the next seven to ten years.”

The college is benefiting from an ongoing and strong partnership with Dell EMC and with High Touch Technologies who will make the numerous system upgrades included in the investment. 

Southwestern has a strong history of employing technology to promote learning. In 1999, the college became the first college or university in the region to issue laptops to all new students, an initiative the college continues to this day. Southwestern was also the first college in Kansas to offer wireless access on campus.

“The way we, as a campus community and as a society, rely on wireless internet access has changed quite a lot since the college installed those first routers on campus,” said Clark. “This latest upgrade is significant. It will put us ahead of the ever growing need for access and will keep our campus community connected well into the future.”