Summer is a surprisingly busy time of year for MSU IT. With fewer classes in session, teams across campus are advancing projects that strengthen core systems, support teaching and learning, and improve the daily technology experiences for students, faculty, and staff.
The work highlighted here represents some of the larger efforts underway this summer and is not a complete list. Many additional projects are moving forward across MSU IT and with campus partners. Together, this work reflects a continued focus on improving the overall campus experience with reliability, security, modernization, and long-term sustainability.
Strengthening Core Infrastructure
Several initiatives are focused on improving the performance and reliability of core IT services. This includes upgrading wireless infrastructure in residence halls to improve coverage and address existing gaps, as well as introducing modern monitoring tools that give teams better visibility into system performance and help identify issues before they affect users. The networking team plans to upgrade 6,050 wireless access points in 24 buildings over the course of the summer.
Supporting Teaching and Learning
Approximately 50 classrooms will be renovated or refreshed this summer as part of a multi-year effort to improve technology consistency and enhance learning environments. Updates focus on creating more reliable, easy-to-useclassroom technology that supports both instructors and students.
Work is scheduled around availability and instructional needs to minimize disruption.
In parallel, MSU IT is collaborating with the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation and Office of the Provost on projects to improve the undergraduate digital learning experience and advance tools and platforms that support career-connected learning experiences.
Advancing Research Capabilities
MSU IT is also strengthening support for research and compliance needs. This includes achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, which enables MSU to support research involving controlled unclassified information. This expands the university’s ability to compete for and conduct federally funded research while meeting required security standards.
Improving Efficiency Across Campus
Teams are also assessing software usage across the institution to better understand duplication and identify opportunities to streamline tools. This work will help reduce complexity, improve the user experience, and ensure resources are being used as effectively as possible.
In addition, several targeted projects are moving forward this summer. This includes transitioning IT ownership of the Breslin Center from Residential and Hospitality Services to Athletics through coordinated planning across Federated IT teams. In Veterinary Medicine, a new electronic medical record system is being implemented to replace multiple legacy platforms and improve the accuracy of clinical records. Academic units are also being migrated from legacy ticketing systems to the university’s modern TDX platform, helping align support services with enterprise tools while allowing units to design solutions that meet their specific needs.
Planning for What’s Ahead
Looking ahead, MSU IT is continuing to invest in strategic planning and workforce development. Campus input gathered over the winter and spring is helping shape the next IT strategic plan, and drafts will be reviewed with partners across the university to ensure those perspectives are accurately reflected in the final roadmap.
At the same time, role-based AI upskilling initiatives are expanding in collaboration with Central HR, with a focus on practical skills that support responsible use of emerging technologies.
This summer’s work positions the university’s technology foundation and are good examples of how MSU IT empowers Spartan success with technology.
