Authors: Allison Lappin & April Dukes
Tech Points each year focuses on providing IT help for students, faculty and staff at the beginning of each fall semester. This year, the three-day event focused on boosting the visibility and effectiveness of our Help Desk while raising cybersecurity awareness. Through Tech Points, we aimed to go beyond answering IT questions by actively engaging campus in a variety of ways.
By setting up hubs in Ikenberry Commons, the Campus Instructional Facility and the Illini Union during the first few days of classes, Tech Points provided easy access to support, information and cybersecurity education. During these efforts, Tech Points reached 7,000 students over the three days.
What was new this year?
1. LAS Lift Off
Tech Points partnered with the Illinois App team in the LAS Lift Off event, where we set up an information booth to introduce Liberal Arts & Science students to the Illinois App and the supporting IT services on campus.
2. Gies Business Quad Day
Tech Points joined Gies Business Quad Day to engage with students by setting up an informative booth with Help Desk services and cybersecurity resources. Staff provided direct IT support, guidance on accessing services and distributed tips on protecting personal information and recognizing online threats. This event allowed us to connect with students, answer their questions and ensure they’re informed about the tech resources and cybersecurity support available during their academic journey.
3. Residential Advisor Fair at Ikenberry Commons
Tech Points engaged over 200 resident advisors, providing them with key IT and cybersecurity resources. This initiative equipped them to share important information and best practices with dorm residents, boosting both student security and tech proficiency while fostering a more connected campus community.
4. Speaking in lecture halls
Tech Points gave a series of brief, impactful presentations in lecture halls to raise awareness of IT support services and promote cybersecurity best practices. Tailored to student needs, the sessions offered practical tips on accessing IT resources, managing passwords, recognizing phishing, and safe browsing. This initiative reached 3,000 students, empowering them to protect their digital information and fully utilize campus tech resources.
Thank you!
Tech Points was a collaborative effort and an opportunity for IT professionals to expand their network. Special thanks to volunteers from the following departments:
• Office of the CIO
• Technology Services Cybersecurity
• Technology Services Communications and Marketing
• Gies College of Business
• Office of the Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Vice Chancellor Research Institutes
• Student Affairs
• The Illinois App team
• College of Education
• School of Information Sciences
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Another special thanks to our Tech Points planning committee:
• Sandy Bone
• Shim Ahmed
• Blayne Beeson
• Justin Bares
• Joey Kennedy
• Allison Lappin
• April Dukes
