The Office of Information Systems (IS) provides modern technology services for the unique academic, research and administrative needs of Wake Forest University (WFU) students, faculty and staff. The IS mission is to empower the WFU campus community in the use of information and digital technologies to further intellectual exploration, informed institutional decisions, and the creation and dissemination of knowledge. Driven by the core values of innovation, collaboration, and leadership, IS partners with the campus community to discover effective technology solutions which support Wake Forest as a vibrant place of learning and discovery.
Wake Forest employs a single sign-on approach for most university systems and logins. When a student is enrolled, and for the duration of their studies, they are provided with an @wfu.edu student account which provides access to Wake Forest’s Google Workspace environment (WFU Mail, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Chat, Slides, Calendar and more), software licensing including Microsoft365 and Adobe Creative Cloud apps (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere), the Workday student information system (advising, registration, degree planning and financial aid), Canvas and other instructional systems, and many other campus administrative sites and services. A self-service platform for password activation, resets and other needs for the WFU account is provided at account.wfu.edu.
For computing, most Wake Forest students, faculty and staff favor laptops for flexibility and mobility. The campus wireless network is likewise extensive and carefully maintained. Coverage extends to most buildings on campus, as well as numerous outdoor spaces to support learning and work in the natural surroundings. Through its designation as an eduroam partner site, Wake Forest extends connectivity to thousands of university and other partner campus networks nation- and worldwide.
The Bridge IT support desk provides walk-in technology support for the campus community and is centrally located in the ZSR library. In addition to general IT consultation, support and guidance, The Bridge is also an authorized Apple, Dell, Lenovo ThinkPad, and Microsoft Surface service center. The Bridge offers flexible routes for seeking IT help, with extended walk-in hours, chat support, phone support (758-HELP), and a knowledge library of IT solution articles supported by a helpful AI chatbot, after-hours.
The One Button Studio at Wake Forest University is an automated, student-focused recording facility designed to simplify high-quality video production. Located in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library and part of the Studio: A Space for Digital Innovation, the One Button Studio features professional lighting, a camera, and a microphone that activate automatically when a users inserts a USB drive. By simply pressing a single button, students and faculty can record presentations, lectures, or podcasts directly to their own drives as video or audio files. The space is equipped with a versatile backdrop for chroma keying and is supported by a suite of Adobe post-production tools, make it an accessible resource for creating professional academic content without requiring advanced technical expertise.
Located in the hear of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library, the Studio: A Space for Digital Innovation provides the Wake Forest Community with a centralized space for creating digital projects. Sponsored by Information Systems, the facility offers access to specialized equipment, software, and hands-on workshops designed to help students, faculty and staff develop technical skills and consider the implications of new technologies. Whether through one-on-one consultations or collaborative partnerships, the Studio supports the entire creative process-from initial project design to the production of public-facing digital work.
To support their studies and modern campus needs, all Wake Forest undergraduate students are required to have a laptop meeting core minimum requirements. While some students bring their own laptop, many opt to purchase through the University’s WakeWare official laptop program. WakeWare laptops include full on-campus repairs onsite at The Bridge and four years of extended warranty and damage protection. During times of repair, loaners are provided to students to minimize disruption to their studies. Undergraduate students receiving institutional aid qualify for a technology grant to cover the full cost of a WakeWare standard model, Windows or Mac, and have two years to redeem their grant.
Digital Accessibility is prioritized through Wake's Technology Accessibility Program, led and facilitated by Information Systems. In addition to guiding the campus community with awareness and best practices, the program conducts accessibility reviews for University software purchases and promotes the accessibility of digital resources through partnerships and advocacy efforts within and beyond campus.
For some academic programs and courses, students learn necessary skills in powerful software programs such as AutoCAD and COMSOL. Access to these applications is provided to students in a virtualized desktop environment. For advanced processing needs, such as some modeling or analytics exercises, students have access to the WFU Distributed Environment for Academic Computing (DEAC) cluster, a Linux-based High Performance Computing cluster. The DEAC cluster provides supercomputing services for academic research and coursework and are available to students 24 hours a day through connections over the campus network.
Wake Forest uses the mobile-friendly Workday Student platform to support core student information system functions across the academic journey. The modern, integrated system helps students navigate enrollment, advising, registration, student financials, and academic records with a consistent experience across devices. The Workday mobile app is a key part of this approach, giving students an accessible way to complete tasks, receive notifications, and stay connected to important academic information throughout the year.
The Wake Forest WakerSpace is a student-staffed maker facility for student skill-building, creativity and making. Students have access to explore various maker and creative projects using 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking, soldering, podcasting, knitting, and sewing, with workshops and interest groups holding sessions in the space throughout the year. With academic and extra-curricular programming, and with a creative community of students, faculty and staff alike, the WakerSpace serves a broad range of interests across campus.
Students have access to IS-supported cable television and streaming services. Every residence hall room includes a cable TV connection or the ability to stream cable programming. Whether on campus or away from campus, students can watch scheduled and on-demand cable network content, view campus information channels, and use built-in recording storage available to each account.
Many students also bring gaming consoles, smart TVs, and other entertainment devices. These devices can connect to the Internet through a wired Ethernet connection or through WFUmydevices, a dedicated wireless network designed for non-standard devices that cannot use eduroam. Students can register their devices through the MyDevices portal, which provides a simple way to manage and connect approved equipment.
Wake Forest cybersecurity strategy is multi-pronged, with technical controls, policy and community awareness layers. Campus awareness and guidance around good cybersecurity practices are prioritized in annual programming. An annual student-focused cybersecurity awareness month, required faculty and staff training, as well as outreach and workshops targeted for unique needs of campus audiences all seek to increase campus awareness and efficacy in good information security practices.
Numerous student employment opportunities are available to students with an interest in technology and higher education, and IS offers positions for a variety of interests including technology support, digital literacy and the WakerSpace. IS consults a student advisory body regularly to seek guidance on various initiatives.
Students also have access to additional computing resources outside the University. Wake Forest is a member of:
- The Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), located at the University of Michigan. Membership in ICPSR provides students and faculty with access to a large library of data files, including public opinion surveys, cross-cultural data, financial data, and complete census data.
- EDUCAUSE, a national consortium of colleges and universities engaged in furthering the role of technology and computing in higher education.
- Eduroam, a global wireless network access service, available on thousands of partner campuses for research and education, accessed using one's home institution credentials (WFU account login).