How to Choose the Right IT Support for Your Community College

Community colleges need technology to work for everyone – students, faculty, and administrators. But finding the right IT support can feel overwhelming. Should you hire more in-house staff, or is outsourcing the smarter move? This blog will help you understand the options and pick what works best for your college’s needs.

What Are Your College’s IT Needs?

Before making decisions, start by understanding what your college needs from its IT systems. Ask questions like:

• Do you need better support during busy times, like enrollment periods?
• Are your systems secure enough to protect sensitive student and staff data?
• Are faculty and students struggling with outdated or unreliable tech tools?
• Can your current team handle growing demands for online learning and digital services?

Getting a clear picture of these challenges will help you identify the kind of support you need, whether it’s day-to-day maintenance, security upgrades, or 24/7 help desk services.

Option 1: Building an In-House IT Team

Many community colleges prefer to keep IT support within their own teams. This option can work well if:

• You want full control over IT operations.
• You already have a strong foundation of skilled staff.
• Your budget can handle the costs of hiring and training specialists.

However, this route has its challenges. Hiring skilled IT professionals can be expensive, and they may not have expertise in every area, like cybersecurity or cloud management. Colleges often find it hard to stay updated on new technologies without stretching budgets further.

Option 2: Partnering with Outsourced IT Providers

Outsourcing IT is an alternative that’s becoming more popular. This approach means working with external experts who manage some or all of your college’s IT needs. Outsourcing is a good fit if:

• You have limited budgets for IT staff but need specialized expertise.
• Your college experiences seasonal spikes in IT demands.
• You want 24/7 support without the cost of maintaining an in-house team around the clock.

Benefits of outsourcing include:

• Cost Savings: Pay for only the services you need, which can make it easier to budget.
• Access to Expertise: Work with professionals who specialize in areas like cybersecurity, system upgrades, and cloud services.
• Scalability: Increase or decrease support as your needs change throughout the year.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing an IT Partner

If you’re considering outsourcing, it’s important to pick the right partner. Here’s what to ask potential providers:

• Do they have experience working with community colleges or educational institutions?
• Can they handle compliance with education regulations like FERPA?
• What services are included, and how flexible are their plans?
• What’s their track record for reliability and response times?
• How do they handle cybersecurity and data protection?

The answers to these questions will help you narrow down your options and find a provider that understands your unique needs.

Blending Both Approaches

Some colleges find success with a hybrid model. For example, they might keep core IT staff in-house for
day-to-day operations while outsourcing specialized tasks, like network security or help desk services during peak times. This balance can provide the best of both worlds, ensuring you get the expertise you need without overstretching your resources.

Making the Right Choice for Your College

Choosing IT support isn’t about picking the cheapest or the most high-tech option. It’s about finding a solution that aligns with your goals and budget. Take time to assess your needs, research your options, and involve your staff in the decision-making process.

With the right IT support in place, your college can focus on what truly matters: helping students succeed and creating an environment where faculty and administrators can thrive.