Save the Date: Fierce Education Presents The Connected Campus

Today’s college students are incredibly tech savvy, quickly moving from one task to the next and expecting instantaneous responses. They, as well as faculty, need access to materials and each other whenever and however they want.

Connectivity is the critical piece for today’s universities to help solve the digital divide. From large state campuses to rural universities in smaller communities, secure, seamless access is essential moving forward. This also includes supporting high-bandwidth mobile applications, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, as well as the latest developments in Wi-Fi connectivity.

Join Fierce Education and higher education executives on August 25th for this “Connected Campus” virtual event to learn what some university leaders are doing to keep pace with the bandwidth and connectivity needs of students and faculty to ensure equal accessibility for all.

For more information on registration or sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Below is the agenda:

1:00-2:10pm ET

Opening Keynotes: Welcome to the Connected Campus

Speakers:

  • James McCrary, Director of Innovative Teaching & Learning, River Parishes Community College
  • Dr. Joshua Coco, Client Solutions Executive, AT&T
  • Steve Dyck, Principal Consulting Engineer, Nokia

 

2:20-2:50PM ET

Session 1: The Next Generation in Network Strategies Is Here

College students not only need complete access to each other, faculty members and courseware resources, they need it fast. Bandwidth is the key but there are many routes to get there. What connectivity investments should higher education institutions make and where should they make them? Ensuring access in a large stadium or auditorium requires different capabilities than in a smaller classroom or dorm setting. What is the benefit of moving to 5G or is 4G enough, for now? Should Wi-Fi 6 be a consideration and how does a distributed antenna system (DAS) fit?

Speaker:

  • Besma Smida, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago.
  • Rayan Rutledge, Principal Architect, AT&T

3:00-3:30pm ET

Session 2: The Benefits, Limitations and Use Cases of Private Wireless Networks

When it comes to wireless network strategies, higher education institutions have a few network options to evaluate. They can choose to use Private Wireless Networks with LTE or 5G technology, or they could boost up their Wi-Fi networks and bandwidth via 6 GHz spectrum and Wi-Fi 6. While private networks do create a more secure environment, does it limit accessibility and speed?

Speakers:

  • Justin Clausen, Lead Network Pathways Analyst, Cal State Monterey Bays; Member,  TIA Smart Buildings Working Group
  • Aimee Rullo, Business Development Manager, State and Local Government and Education, Nokia

3:40-4:10pm ET

Session 3: More Access Means More Security Risks

As colleges and universities invest more in their connectivity and infrastructure, they are becoming more of a target for the latest malicious hackers or cyber-attack. A network is only as secure as its weakest link. Higher education institutions need to ensure their student, faculty and administration data remains secure as they continuously invest in better bandwidth solutions and other technologies.

Speakers

  • Greg Flanik, CIO, Baldwin Wallace University

4:10-4:30pm ET

ZOOM – Meet the Speakers