(411) Empowering Pharmacy Education: Leveraging Technology and Infrastructure to Advance Faculty, Staff and Student Success

Objective: To explore how integrating technology and infrastructure within a college of pharmacy enhances student, faculty, and staff success and efficiency.

Methods: At the University of Illinois Chicago, faculty and staff have tremendous technology and infrastructure support to complete the educational, research and clinical mission of the College. Whenever new improvements are made or products are considered, faculty, staff and students are at the forefront of the decision-making process.

The IT Unit operates under a dual campus model, with internal support on each campus (Chicago and Rockford). A student to staff career pipeline model is used for recruitment and employment efforts. In addition, the College invests in training opportunities and conferences to foster stability and expertise within the department. Innovative integration of technology and infrastructure is led by our IT, administrative, and instructional design teams. They are supported by college investment in their learning and by inclusion in college decision making.

Faculty embrace numerous educational technology platforms and concepts and learn about these offerings through the TALK (Teach, Assess, Learn, Know) Center, the TALK Academy and TALK Tips. Committees are formed to improve small group facilitation and to gather input from faculty, staff, and students on IT and educational technology priorities.

Facility enhancements support active learning, clinical services, and research endeavors. Inclusive decision-making results in renovated spaces that foster collaboration and innovation for students, staff, and faculty.

Tableau dashboards aid in curricular and programmatic assessment, offering opportunities for knowledge sharing at local and national levels.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the strategic integration of technology and infrastructure within the College enhances education, research, and administrative functions, contributing to faculty, staff and student success and advancing the profession.