Guest Column – Strengthening Connections through Collaboration: Northeastern State University and OneNet

By Dr. Rodney Hanley, President

Northeastern State University (NSU) has always been committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities and fostering technological innovation. A cornerstone of this mission is its long-standing partnership with OneNet, Oklahoma’s premier provider of internet services, data storage, and cybersecurity solutions. For decades, NSU and OneNet have collaborated to advance technological infrastructure and services, benefiting students, faculty, and staff while contributing to the broader higher education community in Oklahoma.

One of the most significant milestones in NSU’s partnership with OneNet occurred over the past year, with a major upgrade to the university’s internet connectivity. Working together, NSU and OneNet enhanced the network connections at the Muskogee and Broken Arrow campuses, increasing bandwidth to a robust 10 Gbps. This upgrade represents a significant leap forward, ensuring faster and more reliable internet access across these campuses.

For a modern university, reliable and high-speed internet is not a luxury but a necessity. The enhanced connectivity directly impacts NSU’s ability to support cutting-edge research, facilitate online learning, and enable seamless access to digital resources. It also empowers our faculty to integrate innovative teaching tools and methods into their classrooms while ensuring that students can take full advantage of online collaboration and learning platforms. Furthermore, staff members benefit from improved systems that streamline operations and enhance communication across campuses.

NSU’s relationship with OneNet is more than a transactional partnership; it’s a collaborative effort rooted in shared goals and mutual respect. For decades, NSU has been a proud supporter of OneNet, participating in technology committees, conferences, and professional development initiatives. These activities have fostered a culture of innovation and collaboration, enabling NSU to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in higher education.

Through our involvement in these initiatives, NSU has also contributed to shaping technology policies and strategies that benefit not only our own campuses but also other educational institutions across the state. The university’s active engagement with OneNet underscores its commitment to leveraging technology to improve education and drive economic development in Oklahoma.

In addition to connectivity upgrades and professional engagement, NSU takes full advantage of several statewide contracts negotiated by OneNet. These contracts provide cost-effective solutions for various technological needs, ensuring that NSU can allocate resources efficiently while maintaining high-quality services.

NSU has played a pivotal role in establishing a consortium of institutions that utilize Blackboard, a leading learning management system. This consortium represents a model of statewide collaboration, resource sharing, and cost savings. By pooling resources and expertise, the consortium has enabled member institutions to access Blackboard’s powerful tools at a reduced cost while promoting a consistent and efficient user experience across campuses.

NSU has taken on the technical leadership role for this consortium, providing guidance and support to other member institutions. Meanwhile, OneNet serves as the fiscal lead, managing the financial aspects of the collaboration. This partnership exemplifies how NSU and OneNet work together to create innovative solutions that benefit the broader educational community.

The collaborative efforts between NSU and OneNet have a direct and positive impact on our students, faculty, and staff. For students, improved internet connectivity and access to advanced learning tools translate into a richer educational experience. They can participate in virtual labs, access high-quality video lectures, and collaborate with peers and professors seamlessly, regardless of their physical location.

Faculty members benefit from the ability to integrate cutting-edge technology into their teaching and research. Enhanced connectivity and access to tools like Blackboard enable our faculty to deliver dynamic and engaging coursework, fostering a more interactive and impactful learning environment. Additionally, staff members gain access to reliable systems and resources that streamline administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on supporting the university’s academic mission.

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, our partnership with OneNet remains vital to NSU’s success. Together, we are exploring new opportunities to enhance connectivity, improve cybersecurity and implement innovative solutions that address the changing needs of higher education.

Through our shared commitment to excellence, NSU and OneNet are shaping a future where technology serves as a powerful enabler of education, innovation and community development. The successes of our partnership stand as a testament to what can be achieved when institutions work together toward a common goal.

Photos courtesy of Northeastern State University