The Applied Technology Department began in 1984 as a support service (Applied Computing) which supported the one computer lab on campus and taught a few computer courses using Digital Rainbow computers (which only had two 5 1/4" floppy drives and no hard drives). 

In 1986, the department purchased its first Macintosh computers, choosing Macs because of the graphical user interface.  As the years progressed, the Mac Lab was established and graphics and desktop publishing courses and the Applied Computing minor were added.  In 1987, a lab supervisor position was added to assist the Director of Applied Computing.  At that time, the Director was the only full-time faculty member in the department and there were approximately 3 part-time faculty.

In 1998, the Department of Applied Computing and Technology was officially formed.  The department supported the computer labs on campus as well as conducted computer courses for the Applied Computing minor.  Many new full-time and part-time faculty were added as we moved into the 21st century.

In 2000, the teaching computer labs moved out of the Library and relocated to the Kennedy Building.  The two computer labs (the Honors Research Lab and the Open Access Lab) located on the lower level of the Library remained. Four new computer labs were added to the Kennedy Building and the department established new courses and programs.  A Web Development minor was added in 2002.  In March, 2003 the College approved the creation of the Information Technology major.  The department graduated its first Information Technology majors on May 15, 2005.