Education Department Grant Will Fund Technology Upgrades

Pacific University will undertake a series of technology upgrades to improve its remote learning options, thanks to the award of a nearly $900,000, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Pacific was one of four institutions nationally awarded the pilot grant, which targets minority-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and others. Jo Isgrigg, the director of Pacific’s Office of Scholarships & Sponsored Projects, said federal reviewers gave Pacific’s application a perfect score.

The upgrades will include wireless and hotspot improvements, as well as a new desktop software platform and more loanable electronic devices. The grant also funds the hiring of seven student workers and a part-time instructional specialist.

The grant application, prepared by Isaac Gilman, Al Weiss, Brian King and Brandon Gatke, was called the “Pacific University: Inclusive and Accessible Digital Learning Infrastructure and IT Modernization Project.” Weiss, the director of Pacific’s Center for Educational Technology and Curricular Innovation, is the project director for the project, which started Jan. 1, and Brian King, the technology helpdesk manager for University Information Services, is co-director.

 

 

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023