School of IT Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Indianapolis Campus Network Refresh Project

Ivy Tech Indianapolis recently took a significant step in modernizing its technology infrastructure through a statewide network refresh initiative. The project, which was nearly 96% complete by early January, involved upgrading aging network equipment that had been in place for over a decade. To make the initiative even more impactful, the IT department enlisted the help of students from the School of Information Technology (SoIT), providing them with invaluable hands-on experience in a real-world technical environment.

According to Nick DeLaRosa, Ivy Tech Director of Information Technology, the project is essential in improving network speed and reliability while also making it easier to manage future updates.

 “Much of the equipment was over 11 years old with expensive monitoring tools,” DeLaRosa explained. “The new equipment not only improves our network speed and reliability across the state but provides better management to oversee issues, changes, and improvements. It also helps cut back on costs.”

Throughout the project, students assisted with critical tasks such as swapping out outdated hardware, removing and installing new network switches, patching connections, and organizing cabling in IT closets. These responsibilities allowed them to engage directly with infrastructure they typically only interact with as end users. 

“The students provided valuable assistance in changing out cabling to improve organization in the IT closets,” DeLaRosa said. “Even if this did not tie directly into their classes or subjects, the hands-on experience is invaluable to their understanding of the infrastructure they use on a daily basis.”

Students from various IT disciplines participated in the project, including software development, cloud services, cyber security, networking, and IT support. Their involvement demonstrated the interconnected nature of IT fields, where knowledge of foundational infrastructure plays a crucial role in advanced specializations. 

“While a cloud architect may never touch the network closet again, understanding how the data flows and how the equipment functions will help them in their troubleshooting process or project planning,” DeLaRosa noted.

The collaboration between the IT department and students was sparked earlier in the year during a tour of an IT closet, where DeLaRosa first mentioned the upcoming network project. 

“When I mentioned there might be an opportunity for students to assist, their faces lit up,” he recalled. 

Robert Hampton led the coordination efforts, helping gather and organize student participants. Once on-site, students were given an overview of the project and guided through the process. 

“We provided the tools and oversaw them as they got in there and changed out the equipment themselves, with a member of the IT department by their side every step of the way,” DeLaRosa added.

Beyond providing technical skills, the experience also offered students a glimpse into the complexities of maintaining a robust IT infrastructure. 

Looking ahead, the IT department hopes to continue involving students in similar projects and possibly integrate more work-study opportunities to enhance practical learning experiences. 

“We hope to be able to include students in future projects down the road, as well as get Work Studies into our area to gain the valuable experience they need to be successful in their careers,” DeLaRosa concluded.

The network refresh project at Ivy Tech Indianapolis not only strengthened the college’s technical infrastructure but also reinforced the institution’s commitment to hands-on learning, ensuring that students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the evolving IT industry.