University Partnership Upgrades Digital Services for Military-Affiliated Students

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University Partnership Upgrades Digital Services for Military-Affiliated Students

New Collaboration Boosts Digital Support for Military Students

A significant technological upgrade is coming to a university center dedicated to students with military connections. This boost aims to increase the center's digital services and support capabilities, which will help up to a thousand students and fifty staff members. The enhancements will facilitate essential functions such as academic guidance, online mental health services, hybrid programming, and career development.

Students with military ties often juggle their academic pursuits with other responsibilities like service commitments, career transitions, and family duties. By enhancing the digital capabilities of the center, the university aims to provide more flexible, responsive, and secure support to these students who significantly contribute to the university's mission and community impact.

An Investment in Connectivity and Security

A five-year agreement will see the implementation of a hybrid network at the center, which will provide dedicated connectivity, secure backhaul, and Secure Access Service Edge architecture to support essential student services. The investment, estimated at about $1.69 million, includes equipment, software, and support services. It also covers subsidized connectivity, cybersecurity, and managed network services.

The university's commitment to extending opportunities and removing obstacles for all students is at the heart of this collaboration. By enhancing the infrastructure, the university can offer better accessibility to its military students, opening new possibilities for connection, care, and success. The goal is to address unique challenges faced by military students and their families, providing the support and resources required for their academic and personal success.

The Military City and Its Military Students

The city is nationally recognized as a hub for military activities. The university and its center serve the largest military student population in the university system, with over 6,300 enrolled service members, veterans, and military-affiliated family members and dependents. The center offers comprehensive support through dedicated benefits certification, tailored advising, mental health partnerships, priority registration, peer support initiatives, and innovative programming that sets the benchmark for veteran service in higher education. This commitment to service has earned the university recognition as one of the “Best for Vets” universities.

Alongside the services offered through the center, the university's academic health center provides a broad network of health, wellness, and support services for veterans, active-duty service members, military-affiliated students, and the wider military community. These resources showcase the university's pledge to meet the unique educational, health, and well-being needs of those who have served, are serving, and their supportive families.

Enhancing Student Support and Flexibility

The new technology will bolster how advising is delivered, connect students to services, and create more consistent access to programs that support academic progress, well-being, and career development. The collaboration is an early yet important step in a longer-term effort to enhance the infrastructure and services supporting military students at the university.

Reliable connectivity is a vital element in expanding access to opportunities. This collaboration is helping build a robust digital foundation for the center, ensuring veterans, service members, and military families stay connected to the support systems that help them succeed. By securing enterprise-level connectivity and ongoing operational support, the university is increasing its capacity to serve military students with the tools, resources, and flexibility they need for personal and academic success.