Case Study: Central State University Wilberforce achieves "Classrooms Without Walls" hybrid learning and $600,000 licensing savings with HPE Aruba Networking

Launching Classrooms Without Walls with Aruba Mobile-First Network

Central State University, a 1,700‑student public institution in Wilberforce, Ohio, faced the challenge of launching a “Classrooms Without Walls” hybrid‑learning program while operating on limited wireless and legacy wired infrastructure and a tight budget. CIO Dr. Tonjia Coverdale needed a future‑proof, scalable, secure network that would support real‑time virtual learning, better residence‑hall Wi‑Fi, IoT initiatives and improved campus safety without large recurring licensing costs.

Partnering with Laketec, Central State deployed an Aruba mobile‑first solution—802.11ac Wave 2 303H APs, 7200 controllers, modular 3810 switches, ClearPass, AirWave and Foundation Care—cutting cabling costs in half, enabling seamless device onboarding and mobile access to security cameras, and providing modular bandwidth upgrades. The new network launched real‑time hybrid classes, left capacity headroom (30–40% utilization), allowed affordable scaling (quadrupling bandwidth for about a third of a forklift upgrade), and delivered roughly $600,000 in licensing savings over five years while boosting enrollment and retention prospects.

Central State University Wilberforce

Tonjia Coverdale

Vice President for IT and Chief Information Officer