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“The technology has evolved — Avive has been a huge cost saving to us, it has been a time saving to us. Expectations are on the rise for lifesaving equipment and Avive is meeting the expectations of what we would like to do on our campus.”
Case Study | Ottawa University, KS
From outdated to outstanding: how Ottawa University, KS modernized its AED program.
When Justin Wadkins and Dr. Donald Anderson joined Ottawa University (Kansas), they inherited an outdated AED program that lacked modern tools for maintenance, accountability, and assurance of student safety. Collaborating closely, they replaced the system with 25 Avive Connect AED®s strategically placed across campus - protecting more than 900 students, faculty, staff, and visitors each day. Both leaders appreciate the Avive AED’s reliability, intuitive design, and universal pads, which simplify emergency response and enhance overall readiness. Their shared commitment ensures a safer, more confident, and welcoming environment for everyone on campus.
Where
Ottawa University, KS
Student population
900
Avive Connect AED®s
25
Justin Wadkins
Director of Campus Safety at Ottawa University
Justin Wadkins, Director of Campus Safety at Ottawa University, is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the university’s safety and security programs. His role includes overseeing personnel, ensuring emergency preparedness, and enforcing campus safety policies.
Dr. Donald Anderson, Dean of Student Life, oversees the non-academic and student-centered aspects of campus life. His responsibilities include managing student organizations and programming, addressing conduct and disciplinary matters, providing student support services, supervising staff, and collaborating across departments to foster a positive and engaging student experience.
When both Justin and Donald joined Ottawa University, they inherited an aging AED (Automated External Defibrillator) program that predated their tenure. Justin undertook the primary responsibility for maintaining the units - conducting manual checks and coordinating with other Campus Safety team members to ensure each AED was properly inspected and operational. Recognizing some of the challenges Justin’s team faced with the existing AED models, Donald introduced the idea of transitioning to the Avive Connect AED, knowing it could address many of those pain points.
Their 25 Avive units are placed in all major buildings near the main entrances, and with their Athletic Trainers who take them to every practice, sporting event, and travel needs. After implementing an overhaul of their AEDs across campus with the Avive units, Justin found significant value in the REALConnect™ remote monitoring platform. On a college campus - where devices can be moved, tampered with, or misplaced - the ability to remotely track AED status and receive alerts for any issues has proven to be a major time saver and a reassurance that every unit remains ready for use.
Donald, meanwhile, appreciates the Avive AED’s simplicity and user-friendly design, particularly its universal electrode pads suitable for both adults and children. For both leaders, the technology offers peace of mind: they understand that campus safety extends beyond students to include faculty, parents, and visitors. Having reliable, smart AEDs they can trust allows them to focus on their broader mission - ensuring a safe, welcoming, and thriving campus environment.
“What stuck out to me was the ease of use, the instructions, and the different language. We’re on a college campus where English might not be someone’s first language. Also the fact that one pad will work for either children or adults was a huge pain point for us in making sure that the user could feel more confident.”
Dr. Donald Anderson
Dean of Student Life at Ottawa University
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