A Fall Update from our CIO, Dr. Sharyne Miller

Welcome back to campus, Seahawks! As we begin a new semester, I am excited to share updates on the work we've been doing to enhance your technology experience. From new tools and platforms to behind-the-scenes improvements, our work is focused on supporting your success.

Adobe

Thanks to your feedback, we recently updated the campus’s Adobe contract, which took effect on July 21. One key highlight is that all students, faculty and staff now have access to Adobe Express, an easy-to-use platform for creating graphics, videos and more. Additionally, students who need Creative Suite can now request it through the myTAC portal, while faculty and staff can continue to use their previously approved licenses. Discover the new licensing details and get started with Adobe Express today!

Panopto

As you may have seen in SWOOP, UNCW has recently moved from Echo360 to Panopto, our new campus-wide video and instructional media platform. Panopto offers a more intuitive design, enhanced features and seamless integration with the tools you already use. Even better, all Echo360 content will be migrated into Panopto for you, ensuring that your teaching and learning continue uninterrupted. The content migration is expected to be completed by January 2026, and in the meantime, we encourage you to check out the timeline, resources and training opportunities to get the most from this exciting upgrade.

Network Refresh

I am excited to share that the most ambitious network upgrade in UNCW history is underway. This multi-year initiative aims to modernize our infrastructure, enhance security, and improve availability, with completion expected by 2027. Phase 1 (2025) focuses on enhancing wireless connectivity in residence halls, after which we will expand to academic and administrative buildings.

Seahawk Insights (Enterprise Data Warehouse)

Our new Enterprise Data Warehouse consolidates campus-wide data into a single, trusted source, enabling data-informed decisions, increased efficiency and enhanced compliance. Faculty and staff have access to many dashboards today, with more on the way. Share your feedback through the Dashboard Feedback Form.

Identity and Access Management (IAM) Improvements

We are building a streamlined solution for account creation, extensions and permissions. By pulling data directly from Banner, this initiative will improve security and reduce the workload for departments and HR. We are actively collaborating with campus partners to shape and finalize this process.

Additional Highlights

EDUCAUSE Membership – Faculty and staff have access to EDUCAUSE resources, publications, and professional development opportunities.

UNC CAUSE – UNC CAUSE is coming to Wilmington this year, and UNCW is proud to be one of five host universities. Additionally, our ITS Seahawks are contributing to 15% of the conference presentations! Learn more about this year’s conference.

Mac Updates – This fall brings important updates for UNCW-owned Macs. First, a new password sync tool will help keep your UNCW password seamlessly aligned with your device. Second, a new message will pop up if Apple no longer supports your device and it should be sent to surplus. More details will be shared soon through our news and email.

Research Computing – We are raising awareness of resources available for high-performance research. To learn about high-performance computing (HPC), including costs, available options, and how to get started, visit our High-Performance Computing page.

Coming Soon

IT Strategic Plan 2025–2030 – Inspired by your feedback, our updated plan will guide technology priorities for the next five years.

Business Analysis Services – In alignment with UNCW Strategic Priority #15, ITS will soon begin offering business analysis support to help improve processes and efficiencies across campus.

UNCW Microsoft 365 Academy – New training opportunities are on the way with the UNCW Microsoft 365 Academy, a collection of programs created by our ITS trainers. The Academy is designed to help both new and experienced users build confidence and strengthen their skills in Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Additional details will be available as we approach the late October launch.

Grateful for Your Partnership

As you can see, your collaboration and engagement really make a difference as we enhance the technology experience at UNCW. Best wishes for a successful and rewarding semester. Go Seahawks!