YEAR IN REVIEW
Here we have highlighted some of the accomplishments of a dedicated and talented IT team from 2021.
Duo Multifactor Authentication
Our IT team deployed Duo Multi-Factor Authentication to 65% of Faculty/Staff facing applications. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), commonly referred to as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) provides an additional layer of security for users logging in to a secure environment. GVSU uses Duo Security as its MFA solution. Duo makes authentication easy by allowing individuals to verify their identity using a mobile device - either through an app or using a code sent via text.
Implemented Zoom and Five9
Completed migration of 1300 users to Zoom Phone and implemented six call centers with Five9 including the 20/20 desk, Admissions, Records, Financial Aid, Student Accounts and IT Services.
Esports Venue Established
The first Laker ESports Center was established this year. We supported the configuration and installation of network equipment and deployed the Windows environment including applications and games to support the Esports gaming stations.
Established Active Learning Classrooms
Partnered with Facilities Services, Office of the Provost, Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, and the Registrar's Office to establish 3 state-of-the-art active learning classrooms that also support dual mode or hybrid delivery. This Presidential Initiative involved the design and implementation of 3 new Active Learning Classrooms: 2 in Allendale (MAK B-1-110 & MAK A-1-111) and 1 on the Pew campus (DEV 121E). These state-of-the-art classrooms incorporate flexible furniture, improved audio capabilities, automated camera tracking technology, and additional presentation screens allowing faculty and students to engage, learn, and collaborate in new ways in person and online.
ITSM
Reviewed and selected a new IT Service Management (ITSM) solution for ticketing, knowledge base documentation, and project management. Everyone in IT is now part of our ITSM to serve the GVSU community more effectively. Our new self-service portal can be found at https://services.gvsu.edu/.
Innovation & Research
In the past year, a new IT Innovation and Research Team was established. Here a few of the noteworthy highlights:
1. A new area within Information Technology was organized in January 2021. The new Innovation and Research unit mission is to lead, coordinate, and facilitate the discovery and exploration of emerging technologies and innovative solutions that lead to digital transformation (DX) across Information Technology at Grand Valley State University. Eric Kunnen transitioned to Senior Director on February 8 to lead this new area, and an “innovation and research ecosystem” was created, mapping out our work to forge new paths as we adapt, discover big ideas, create new value streams, and bring them to scale.
2. A new space was implemented on the 3rd floor of the Consumers Energy (John Russell Leadership Center) called the X>STUDIO. This Space designed to accelerate and incubate ideas, explore future experimental faculty/student-focused technologies, and encourage exploration and experimentation in the design of the next generation of transformational teaching and learning environments. (X = eXplore, eXperience, eXperiment)
3. In the past year, over 20 technologies have been researched and evaluated through the work of the X>STUDIO and Technology Showcase. (More than 50 technologies have been exhibited in the showcase since opening in August of 2013.) Noteworthy vendors include: Coursera (digital credentials, industry partnerships, professional certificates), Transact Campus (mobile credentials, door access, and contactless transactions), CLIPr (AI and machine learning powered video delivery), Owl Pro (360 video conferencing), Neat, Poly, and Logitech (Zoom Room videoconferencing).
Enterprise Applications
1. Support for Action Item Processing in Banner Registration. This requires students to review and provides an opportunity to update their personal information, cell phone, personal email, address (permanent and local) as well as emergency contact. All this needs to be reviewed before registration.
2. Supported implementation of Concur travel & expense system. This involved creating several online applications to allow departments to manage users and approval hierarchies. Also developed integration jobs to sync data between Banner, Concur, and OnBase.
3. Transformed complicated Crystal reports in Power BI reporting dashboard to provide University Development with more updated and accurate data. The dashboard provides the data in a dynamic way that is easier to comprehend and analyze.
4. Built a custom application for the campus Covid testing program. This application allows the staff of the testing facility to easily check in the user being tested, assign a test to them, and provide a test result. Additionally, the application allows for automated notifications of test results and reporting. Over 60,000 covid tests have been processed through this system.
5. Created the IT Service Status page to provide a real-time view of the status of several IT systems. This system also provides updated information about system maintenance and provides historical data about system outages and maintenance.
Enterprise Architecture
- Resident Halls Wi-Fi Access Point Upgrades
- Replaced 1700 Wi-Fi access points.
- Replaced 1700 Wi-Fi access points.
- HPC/PCEC/IT – Standardization of Computing Environments
- Collaborated collectively to move all HPC/PCEC supported Windows, Mac, Linux computing environments to GVSU central userid.
- Standardized all lab environments to GVSU IT Windows 10 lab image.
- Virtualization Disk Environment
- Worked with multiple vendors to evaluate next generation disk platform to support virtualization environment.
- Selected next gen platform to provide modern storage with additional capacity and speed to support campus server infrastructure.
- Implementation to begin Quarter 1 - 2022
- Datacenter Air Containment Project
- Installed air containment throughout the data center.
- Met required 10-degree temperature goals of project – awarded full cash incentive to fund purchase of containment infrastructure.
- Annual cost savings and lower energy consumption within the datacenter.
IT Security
1. Reviewed and selected a partner for Identity and Access Management(IAM)
2. Created a Security Operations Center (SOC). Security Intern and Endpoint specialist in permanent residence.
3. Deployed a DLP product for onsite DLP detection called Varonis
4. Increased GVSU's threat hunting ability by implementing Microsoft Cloud Application Security (MCAS) and integrating Microsoft logs in Azure Sentinel.
IT Operations
1. Implementation of Team Dynamix in technology supply, rewrite of the technology acquisition ordering software and review technology acquisition policy.
2. Rewrite telecommunication work orders from current website forms to Team Dynamix.
IT Services
1. TDX Knowledge base creation
IT has developed an ever-expanding knowledge base (KB) containing step-by-step instructions, self-guided troubleshooting information, and technical workflows to improve our support for the GVSU community. 132 public articles were published in 2021 and we will continue adding articles for years to come. Check it out at https://services.gvsu.edu/TDClient/60/Portal/KB/.
2. Emergency Loaner Laptop Program
IT Services implemented an emergency loaner laptop program for faculty and staff over the summer, providing PCs and MacBooks for employees whose primary computers were being worked repaired or upgraded. This was necessary due to major supply chain issues in 2021 and we plan to continue to improve and expand the program in the years to come.
3. Xerox Printer Refresh
IT worked with MOS (Michigan Office Solutions) over the summer to facilitate a massive refresh of Xerox printers across campus. 148 printers were replaced across GVSU campuses and regional centers over the course of approximately 2 months.
4. Additional Print Release Stations
IT partnered with Student Senate to review public printer locations on campus for student use. Two additional print release stations with print and copy capabilities were placed in The Blue Connection and Kleiner Commons for fall 2021.
eLearning
1. eLearning Technologies Liaison Model
To better serve our faculty, the eLearning Technologies team is now spread out across our three campuses and each member has been assigned to a specific department to serve as a liaison. Communication is sent regularly to the various colleges and departments from their assigned liaisons and faculty are encouraged to schedule appointments and invite team members to their departmental meetings. In each eLearning Technologies newsletter, faculty/staff are encouraged to meet our various team members and explore their liaison assignments on our support by college/departments website. One specific example of how our liaison model is making an impact is the expertise that Glenna Decker and David Nivala are contributing to the KCON graduate programs curriculum revision. Glenna has also completed the development of 5 (out of 8) modules for an upcoming health professions interdisciplinary certificate program and research project. Having dedicated eLearning staff assigned to specific colleges and departments, is building ongoing relationships, trust and exciting opportunities to collaborate with our faculty.
2. Digital Studio Expansion
During the fall of 2021, eLearning Technologies launched the opening of our newest digital studio in the Center for Health Sciences room 411d. More information about the CHS studio can be seen in this video. Promotion for all three studios was expanded through the production of a new overall promotional video. Additional information about all three of our digital studios can be found on our digital studio website and faculty can request consultations through the service portal. Finally, our five digital studio student technicians are being trained on creating personalized interactive learning modules for GVSU faculty and staff. An example of these modules can be found here.
Project Management Office
1. Slate Implementation and Launch of Undergraduate Application, Events, and Request for Information Form
The team met an aggressive 9-month timeline to implement Slate and launch the undergraduate application in August for Fall 2022 prospective students. Next phase of the project will be the launch of the graduate application.
2. Service Portal and TeamDyanmix Implementation ITSM and PPM
In September the IT team successfully launched the IT Service Management solution, iPaaS integrations, and a new Service Portal for Phase 1. TeamDynamix said it was the fastest launch ever, completing it in 4 months. Phase two is wrapping up soon with the Project and Portfolio Management solution and Phase 3 is just starting.
3. eSports Center AV Installation
A two-year project providing gamers with 25 gaming computers and 5 large TV displays for presentation of competitions.
4. DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH) AV Installation
The creation of DCIH encompassed 5 years of planning and construction. The results of these efforts from the PMO included the design and installation of 19 classrooms (including 6 active learning classrooms), 121 large TV displays (including 34 meeting spaces), and 288 computers.
5. Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (CHS) 3rd floor Simulation Center AV installation and integration with DCIH
After 3 years of collaborative meetings with the Simulation Center, the result is 4 renovated classrooms, 20 large TV displays for classrooms and meeting spaces, and 90 computers to facilitate instruction.
Data and Analytics
- In partnership with the Institutional Analysis office, started identifying and documenting the University Data Systems Inventory
- Created data stewardship definitions and responsibilities, data classifications, and data domains documentation
- Participation in University initiatives: Inclusive Data collection, Strategic Enrollment Management Plan (SEMP), Moonshot Broadband initiative
- Creation of Data Strategy Framework