The $20-million facility is anchored by a 45-seat financial Trading Room. The 3,300-sf room, offering exposure to hands-on trading sessions, risk management, asset valuation, and other financial concepts is three times the size of the college's original facility. The David and Elizabeth Hughey Center for Financial Services also includes a 12-seat business suite allowing students and corporate visitors to use Trading Room resources while classes or other programs are in session.

More than 1,500 data ports throughout the building provide access to two network computer rooms stacked above one another on the first and second floors. Tiered interactive classrooms have hard-wired network connections routed through the risers to every student workstation. Perimeter raceways and floor-mounted access boxes in the center of each room provide power and network connections to all non-tiered classrooms. All classrooms have access to the college network and the Internet via video projection, broadband TV, and in-room computers or laptops. Custom-designed podiums with touch-screens enable faculty members to control lights, Web page projection, or stop-action.

A 45-seat distance-learning classroom features two large flat-panel plasma display screens, video cameras and microphones mounted throughout the room, a rear-screen projection system, and "video streaming" allowing individuals to participate in live videoconferences whether they are down the street or around the globe.

The Design and Usability Testing Center helps to link classroom teaching to real-world business practice. Students receive practical instruction in the field of information design and the creation of intuitive, user-friendly software products. The 24-workstation Center also includes the same hardware and software used by technical communicators, Web developers, user interface designers, and usability specialists. The Center's testing and design-consulting services are available to outside corporate sponsors.

The Smith Center is also home to the Computer Information Systems (CIS) department, which includes the Center for Technology and Commerce, a research institute focusing on the convergence of business and information technology. The Computing and Networking Lab offers students real-world insights into the complexities of networked business environments.

The Smith Center is designed for use day or night. An internal "main street" flows from one level to the next, and a three-story glass wall permits natural lighting and outdoor views. Comfortable seating throughout the corridor encourages relaxation and computer ports allow students to check email, access the Internet, and work on group projects.