Center for Instructional & Research Technology

Empowering CANR through Strategic, Secure, and Innovative Technology

CIRT is a specialized group within CANR IT at Michigan State University, focused on transforming technology from a service into a strategic asset. We support faculty, researchers, and administrators by integrating advanced technology into teaching, learning, and research.

What We Do

Instructional Innovation

Enhance teaching environments with modern tools and platforms.
Support faculty with Teams templates, digital collaboration, and classroom technology upgrades.

Research Innovation

Collaborate with MSU IT Research Cyberinfrastructure.
Provide secure, scalable solutions for data storage, analysis, and sharing.
Integrate AI into research workflows, including data modeling and visualization.

Compliance & Security

Ensure alignment with federal regulations like NSPM-33 and CMMC 3.0.
Implement best practices for data protection, identity management, and threat mitigation.

Strategic Technology Planning

Partner with Chairs/Directors to align technology with grant proposals and research goals.
Develop lifecycle plans for equipment upgrades and replacements.

Financial Optimization

Advise on the use of Technology and Learning Environment (TLE) funds.
Prioritize investments in classrooms, labs, and departmental IT infrastructure.

Dedicated Support

Provide tailored IT services for academic leadership.
Maintain open communication to ensure needs are met and opportunities are identified.

AI Integration at CANR

CIRT leads the adoption of AI tools across CANR:
- Microsoft Copilot for meeting summaries, email triage, and document drafting.
- Prompt engineering workshops for faculty and staff.
- AI-assisted research in areas like dairy science, environmental modeling, and student support.