How Umpqua Community College Saved Over $200K by Modernizing IT with OculusIT

How Umpqua Community College Saved Over $200K by Modernizing IT with OculusIT

July 21st, 2025

Reading time: 3 Minutes

Higher education is being redefined by rising expectations, shrinking budgets, and constant technological change. For community colleges in particular, the challenge is even more pronounced. They must deliver accessible, high-quality learning experiences while managing limited IT staff, aging infrastructure, and increasing regulatory pressure.

Umpqua Community College in Oregon found itself at this crossroads. The leadership team knew that continuing with their existing technology model would not support the institution’s long-term goals. They were not just looking to fix isolated issues. They needed a complete shift in how IT supported their academic mission. That shift began with OculusIT.

Understanding the Problem Beyond the Surface

Before partnering with OculusIT, Umpqua Community College was facing a series of familiar yet serious challenges. Their IT costs were growing with little visibility into how to control them. Internal staff were stretched thin, supporting aging systems that frequently broke down. Cybersecurity practices needed strengthening, and fragmented IT processes led to poor user experiences and inconsistent service delivery.

Frequent downtimes were causing disruptions across academic and administrative systems. Compliance requirements were becoming harder to manage, especially without dedicated tools and expertise. It was clear that these issues were not just technical headaches. They were directly affecting the institution’s ability to operate efficiently, meet stakeholder expectations, and plan for growth.

A Strategic Partnership with a Long-Term Vision

Umpqua Community College chose to work with OculusIT not as a vendor but as a strategic partner. The goal was to modernize the college’s entire IT environment and establish a future-ready foundation that would enable growth, stability, and innovation.

OculusIT delivered a tailored suite of managed services including:

24×7 IT helpdesk support
Managed infrastructure and cybersecurity services
Banner ERP support and governance
Dedicated project management oversight
Network segmentation for improved security
Core switch migration for faster connectivity
VDI deployment for flexible access to academic systems

This was not just about replacing aging technology. It was about building a secure, scalable, and resilient IT ecosystem.

The Results: Outcomes of the Partnership

Umpqua Community College’s transformation delivered measurable, lasting impact:

More than $200,000 saved annually in IT costs through resource optimization
Streamlined IT operations with faster response times and less downtime
Stronger cybersecurity posture with segmented networks and endpoint protections
Improved regulatory compliance through better controls and oversight
A future-ready digital infrastructure that supports academic innovation
Over 3,000 successful helpdesk interactions across IT and LMS systems
Enhanced user experience for students, faculty, and staff

These results reflect the power of a proactive, strategy-first approach to IT in higher education.

A Model for Modern Higher Education

Umpqua’s story is not an isolated success. It represents what is possible when institutions treat IT as a strategic function rather than a reactive support system. Every college that is struggling with high costs, outdated systems, or limited internal capacity can take a lesson from this transformation.

By partnering with a provider that understands the unique demands of higher education, colleges can unlock real value from their technology investments. They can reclaim resources, reduce risk, and focus on the outcomes that matter most – student success, institutional resilience, and future-readiness.

Ready to Build Your Own IT Success Story?

OculusIT helps colleges and universities modernize their IT infrastructure while keeping costs in check. If your institution is facing similar challenges, now is the time to rethink what your IT environment can deliver. Let us help you turn today’s roadblocks into tomorrow’s opportunities. Let’s connect