Information Technology Resources (ITR)

Desire2Learn is D2L is activated for all enrolled students, regardless of course modality or whether or not their current courses have any components online. Additionally, all students who are enrolled at PSC have access to the Student Resource Center which is home to a number of resources about D2L, as well as other resources on campus (such as Career Success Center). 

Click here to access D2L.

For an overview of D2L, visit Online Learning's page.

If you need help with D2L, please email Online Learning at OnlineLearning@prairiestate.edu

The Human Resources Department handles requests for PSC Email and Pioneer Portal accounts. You must have a signed Confidentiality Statement on file with the Human Resources department prior to receiving a Pioneer Portal account.

Once the accounts are created, an email will be sent with your login name and password to your supervisor or dean’s administrative assistant. 

Email Address: Your username followed by @prairiestate.edu (Example: jdoe2356@prairiestate.edu). You do not need to include '@prairiestate.edu' when logging in.

Click here to access your email account.

All faculty are required to use the PSC email account to communicate with their students. Using your PSC Email account also ensures that you will receive email notifications directed to you (faculty, adjunct, or staff).

Prairie State College provides students with an email account via Google’s Gmail. Email is used to communicate with instructors, classmates, or others at PSC. Many instructors will not open emails from students that do not come from the ‘@students.prairiestate.edu’ account.

Student Email Address: Your username followed by @students.prairiestate.edu. (Example: jdoe2356@students.prairiestate.edu)

Click here to access your email account.

The college will only send email to your student account. So you must check it often or have it forwarded to your personal email account as described in this article: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/10957?hl=en.

Pioneer Portal is an application for students to use to check final grades, and financial aid, print a transcript, or drop and register for classes. 

All grades are submitted through Pioneer Portal. Pioneer Portal also keeps faculty up-to-date with current student roster information.

Prairie State College uses a single sign-on account for all users. This means that a single username and password are used for the main applications that you'll use as a student. You will be notified of your username and password, but you will be required to change your password when you log in for the first time. You will also be required to change your password at least every six months.

Username: Your username is the first initial of your first name and your full last name, possibly followed by some numbers. (Example: jdoe2356)

Password: Your default password is an 8-digit random alphanumeric code. Students will receive a letter or email that includes this information

Network: PIONEER WIFI

There is no login information needed. When you open a browser, click on Proceed to continue.

All passwords will now require the following: 

• Upper/lower case letters, 1+ number, 1+ special character
• Password length of 10 characters or more
• Previously-used passwords cannot be reused
• Passwords can only be re-changed after a minimum of 3 days
• User accounts will lockout after five failed login attempts and remain locked for 15 minutes.

• Complexity is Key:  Your password should be a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid common words and phrases.
• Unique for Every Account:  Reusing passwords across multiple accounts increases the risk of a breach. Each account should have its own unique password.
• Passphrase Over Passwords:  Consider using passphrases, which are longer and more secure than traditional passwords. A passphrase can be a combination of words, making it both memorable and strong.

• Full Name: Your complete name as it appears on legal documents.
• Date of Birth: Your birth date, which is often used for identity verification.
• Home Address: The physical location where you reside.
• Email Address: Personal email used for communication and often account verification.
• Phone Number: Mobile or landline numbers used for communication and verification.
• Social Security Number (SSN): A unique identification number used in many countries for taxation and government services.
• Driver's License Number: A unique number associated with your driver's license.
• Passport Number: The unique identification number on your passport.
• National Identification Number: Country-specific ID numbers used for various government and legal purposes.
• Bank Account Number: Your unique bank account identification information.
• Credit Card Number: The unique number associated with your credit card.
• Biometric Data: Fingerprints, retinal scans, facial recognition data, etc.
• Employment Information: Work-related data like job title, employer details, etc.

Phishing attacks manifest in various ways, including:

• Email Phishing: Attackers send deceptive emails that mimic legitimate sources, enticing recipients to click on links or download attachments that may contain malware.
• Spear Phishing: This is a targeted form of phishing where attackers tailor their messages to specific individuals or organizations, making them appear more convincing.
• Vishing (Voice Phishing): Scammers use phone calls to impersonate trusted entities, seeking sensitive information or convincing you to take certain actions.
• Smishing (SMS Phishing): Phishers send fraudulent text messages to your mobile device, hoping to deceive you into taking harmful actions.
• Pharming: Cybercriminals redirect website traffic to fraudulent, look-alike sites to steal login credentials and sensitive information.

To protect Prairie State from phishing attacks, it's essential to be able to identify suspicious emails and messages. Here are some key points to remember:

• Check the Sender: Always verify the sender's email address. Cybercriminals often use email addresses that imitate trusted organizations but contain subtle differences.
• Examine the Content: Look for spelling and grammatical errors, generic greetings, and unusual requests. Legitimate organizations usually communicate professionally.
• Avoid Unsolicited Links and Attachments: Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown sources or unexpected emails. Hover over links to see the actual URL without clicking.