December 22, 2005 Sarasota, FL - CampusWorks Inc. (CWI), an information technology management firm specializing exclusively in community college solutions, announced that Middlesex Community College, MA (MCC) has extended their IT contract with CWI until June 2011—creating a 12-year IT partnership.

Middlesex Community College, established in 1969, has campuses in Bedford and Lowell, Massachusetts. The College provides educational opportunities to more than 11,500 students. CampusWorks and Middlesex CC began their technology consulting collaboration in early 1999. In June 2002, Dr. Darrow Neves, CampusWorks’ Senior IT Executive, was assigned to MCC as the Chief Technology Officer. Since that time, President Carole Cowan has been so impressed with CampusWorks’ technology management services that she presented the College’s President's Award to Dr. Neves last September.

Prior to contracting with CampusWorks, MCC was facing many Information Technology (IT) leadership and delivery challenges. As President Cowan noted, “The management of IT resources was the biggest challenge for Middlesex Community College.” The goal set by President Cowan and MCC Cabinet members has been to ensure that the institution was at the highest technological level in all areas - administrative, teaching and learning, and student services.

Over the past three years, CampusWorks has worked to meet and exceed these ambitious goals set by the College Administration. CampusWorks has worked to transform the College systems and services from outmoded and, at times, inefficient operations to the highest level of technology standards, with substantial cost savings in many areas. A few of the most significant accomplishments achieved by talented Middlesex CC and CWI staff include the strengthening of senior level IT leadership, enhancement of their SCT Banner System, development of a comprehensive Identity Management Architecture, implementation of a secure state of the art network and telecommunications infrastructure and re-organization of technology services to clarify and improve services that support teaching and learning.

In reference to the contract extension, President Cowan said, “We have had such a good relationship with CampusWorks that the extension is natural.” Dr. Cowan also praised the partnership between the College and CampusWorks “as a union that has completely transformed the technological state of Middlesex Community College.”

Evelyn Clements, Vice President Emeritus of Student Development at MCC, echoed President Cowan’s praises by saying, “CampusWorks provided MCC with exemplary technology management service, leadership and access to specialists who ensured our faculty were well supported as they created and utilized on-line courses to enrich their learner outcomes. CWI supported our students as they applied for admission and financial aid, registered for classes and checked their progress toward graduation on the web.”

Jay Linnehan, Vice President for Administration & Finance said, “…Campus Works has been a tremendous asset for Middlesex Community College. Trying to keep pace with technology is a daunting, if not impossible task. The need for technology is constantly increasing while appropriations are constantly decreasing. And while you can’t afford not to invest in technology, you can’t afford a poor investment even more. Campus Works fully understands the role that budget must play. Every project includes a business plan and ROI. In fact, over the last year we’ve identified and implemented several priority projects that have enhanced capacity and reduced costs. I like those projects.”

Lois Alves, Vice-President for Enrollment Services, Research and Planning, commented, “… I am especially appreciative of the expertise provided by CampusWorks that has allowed my staff to use our student information system to provide better, more efficient services to our students and faculty. One example is Getting Started, the new cost-effective, high tech, high touch student orientation, academic advising and registration process that has been implemented at Middlesex. These sessions combine the use of on-line academic advising resources such as the SCT Banner degree audit, course prerequisite checking, course descriptions, class schedules, degree requirements and web registration, along with a concise student profile. With the individual attention of an academic counselor, these features help us make sure that we are getting our students off to a good start.”

Under the new agreement, CampusWorks will continue to provide an on-site leadership team, including a Chief Technology Officer and higher education technology specialists to assist the College in the planning and implementation of all current and new IT initiatives, and to continue to ensure that Middlesex remains at the highest and most secure level of technology possible.

In response to the news of the contract extension, Dr. Neves said, “It has been a privilege to work with the talented faculty and staff at Middlesex Community College and we look forward to continuing to serve such a wonderful institution. CampusWorks will continue to ensure that Middlesex Community College has the highest level of technology standards so it can continue to build on its position as a true leader among community colleges.”

This extension adds to CampusWorks’ long-term partnerships with community colleges throughout North America. Most recently, CampusWorks has signed similar technology management contract extensions with Grand Rapids CC, MI (to enhance the PeopleSoft and identity management/security/portal platforms and introduce a new Learner Resources and Technology Solutions Initiative) and with Bunker Hill CC, MA (to continue the current IT Management, Datatel, identity management and portal enhancements for an additional five years).