Introduction
When Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) in the rolling hills of Athens, Tennessee faced a sudden leadership vacuum in their IT department, they didn’t just need someone to manage technology; they needed a partner to steady the ship, rebuild trust, and create a foundation for long-term success.

What they found in Boldyn Networks wasn’t just interim help. It was a transformational partnership that improved campus connectivity, modernized infrastructure, guided the IT team through strategic growth — and quietly helped TWU elevate its student experience and long-term retention.

The Challenge
In the summer of 2023, TWU’s CIO unexpectedly departed. Just weeks later, the department’s second-in-command also left. With the fall semester fast approaching and no time to run a lengthy hiring process, TWU’s leadership knew they needed outside support - and fast.

“We were facing a succession crisis. We didn’t just need someone to keep the lights on. We needed someone who could walk in, stabilize the team, build a bridge to the future — and be someone our staff could trust. Only one of the companies under consideration physically came to visit us on campus - and that made all the difference.”

 Gail Harris, Vice President for Financial Affairs, Tennessee Wesleyan University

The Solution: More Than a Consultant — A Collaborative Force

Boldyn deployed a fractional CIO to TWU — David Hinson, a seasoned higher education IT leader with the rare ability to lead strategically and connect personally.

From day one, David made it clear: this wasn’t a stopgap solution. It was a partnership. He got to know the team, listened deeply, and identified individual strengths and areas for growth. Through regular 1:1 meetings, hands-on coaching, and honest conversations, he didn’t just hold the department together — he lifted it.

 “He didn't just manage IT — he invested in the people. He helped us see what was possible. No exaggeration: I owe a huge part of my own growth and this opportunity to David’s mentorship.”

Matt Sullivan, Director of IT, Tennessee Wesleyan University

Key Achievements: Over Two Years of Measurable Progress

Together with TWU’s internal team, Boldyn helped lead a quiet but powerful transformation.

1. IT Team Uplift & Leadership Development

• Guided Matt Sullivan from analyst to Director of IT & CIO.
• Mentored help desk staff, encouraging continued education — two staffers have since earned MBAs.
• Created a culture shift from disengaged to empowered, from reactive to strategic.

2. Strengthened Security and Resilience

• Improved Year-over-Year GLBA assessment score by 24%.
• Established annual risk assessments — creating a clear compliance roadmap.
• Implemented Backup as a Service to replace fragile legacy processes.

3. High-Availability Network Strategy

• Identified and decommissioned unused circuits, reducing spend, to reallocate to higher priority initiatives.
• Built in needed redundancies to support growing campus demand.
• Shifted from 5–8 monitoring to 24/7 managed network services with monthly reporting — delivering new peace of mind.

4. Crisis Management in Action

• Firewall Failure During Move-In: When TWU’s only firewall went down just before orientation, Boldyn stepped in with a temporary replacement and ran remediation to avoid delaying the start of classes.
• Fiber Cut Before Hurricane: Hours before Hurricane Helene hit, a construction crew accidentally severed 40% of campus fiber. Boldyn's team, including David, worked side-by-side with TWU for 10+ hours, splicing 200+ strands to restore service — before the storm landed.

Results that Go Beyond Technology

“We used to have regular downtime. It’s just not acceptable anymore — not for students, not for faculty. The network now runs the way it should: reliably, quietly, and always there.”

Matt Sullivan, Director of IT,Tennessee Wesleyan University

In just two years,

• TWU has seen record enrollment growth.
• IT morale is up — a once-isolated team now feels valued and integral to the campus mission.
• Reliability is the new norm, not the goal.
• Strategic decision-making is internalized — thanks to mentorship and capacity-building.

And critically: TWU is achieving more with the same dollars.

“We’ve been able to shift how we use our budget — not by spending more, but by spending smarter. Boldyn helped us see where we could get better results without breaking the bank.”

 Gail Harris, Vice President for Financial Affairs, Tennessee Wesleyan University

Looking Ahead

Today, Tennessee Wesleyan University stands on firmer ground — with a modernized IT infrastructure, a revitalized team, and a clear path forward. What began as a crisis response evolved into a catalyst for institutional growth, driven by trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.

By focusing not just on systems but on people, TWU didn’t just recover — it emerged stronger, more resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.