Walking into the IT Department in Room 164 of the Stafford Academic Center, you are welcomed with immediate caring greetings, smiling faces, and above all else, eagerness to assist you with any technological issues.

“We are more than happy to help if you stop by, send us an email, phone calls, or even text,” said Kyle Hutchins, the technical support lead across all VTSU campuses. 

Hutchins is located on the Castleton campus in the IT Department and is always geared to help when he can.

“We are here for you,” Hutchins added in a sincere tone, while also highlighting how the IT Department is a great resource for all VTSU students, faculty, and staff members. “If students are having any issues, please let us know.”

Alongside the endless support for students and staff, the IT Department provides student work opportunities.

“You don’t have to be a computer major to be a student worker,” Hutchins said. 

The position pays $15 dollars an hour, and offers both work study funds, and international student funds, allowing for truly anyone to work there. 

Chinny Okeke, a graduating computer information major, who is also an international student from Nigeria, weighed in on how beneficial the IT Department has been for him in building not only his experience, but also forming a sense of community while at Castleton.

“There are three student workers, and we are all close friends,” Okeke said. 

He also discussed that when there is an issue one of the student workers doesn’t know how to fix, they help each other in solving that problem.

“They are the first line of defense,” said Hutchins, adding that student workers are who faculty and students see if there is a problem. 

The workers will either go out to the physical space the issue is occurring in, or they will assist remotely.

Jonathan Czar, the network administrator for VTSU who has also worked on the campus for 31 years and is retiring after this semester, discussed a similar sense of community, but in a different light.

“Students will learn from each other with new technology,” said Czar. “There is a great team that works here.

“And students would be surprised at what we’d do to help, even if they need help with their online games,” Czar stated with a laugh.

Hutchins added to that thought. 

“We might not be able to help you with writing your paper,” Hutchins stated with a grin. “But you can send an email, a text message, or even walk-in for help.”