Technology clinic for nonprofits to open 2011

A group composed of student teams will open a technology clinic in the first floor of Informatics East to help local nonprofits with technology.

Faculty from the Kelley School of Business, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the School of Informatics and Computing will aid in the initiative.

The idea for the initiative started in spring 2010 when Maureen Biggers, assistant dean for diversity and education for the School of Informatics and Computing, and IU’s first lady Laurie Burns McRobbie co-taught a graduate level course.

The course determined whether local Monroe County nonprofits needed assistance with technology problems and solutions and how students could  help those organizations create successful technology programs.

“The students did extensive research — including interviews, focus groups and a survey of local nonprofits — to assess the need for IT service,” Biggers said about the course.

In January 2011, the pilot program will be launched featuring  three to five nonprofit
organizations.

Biggers said preliminary services through the initiative will include technology needs assessments, database and website development, technical support and more.

“The informatics and computing faculty, and IT staff and student interns, will form teams to serve the nonprofits,” Biggers said.

“The team will work with the nonprofits from needs assessment to services provided.”

Students who will be helping with the clinic will have an opportunity to gain practical advantage in an increasingly competitive job market, Biggers said.

“Learning technology skills gives any and all students an edge in the world of work, and too often students do not understand that this work in technology is about teamwork, creative problem solving, helping make a difference,” she said.

— Katie Dawson