How CCAD Uses LabStats to Rethink IT Strategy and Software Spend

May 16, 2025 |  Case Studies, Students
2 min

Learn how to turn real-time data into smarter IT decisions—maximizing limited resources while ensuring every student has access to the tools they need to succeed.

Managing IT in higher education today is about adapting to rapid change, aligning with institutional goals, and making the most of every dollar. That’s exactly what Eileen Galvin, Senior Director of IT at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD), is doing—with the help of LabStats.

During a recent webinar, Eileen shared how LabStats became a critical tool for smarter IT decision-making in a uniquely hands-on, resource-intensive environment.

The Challenge: Changing Campus, Tightening Budgets

CCAD is a private art and design college in the heart of Columbus, Ohio, serving just over 900 students. Like many institutions, they’ve been navigating a post-COVID world where everything—from class formats to capital spending—has been re-evaluated.

Eileen explained that prior to LabStats, decisions around computer labs and software renewals were often made based on historical trends or best guesses. “We kind of just renewed based on what we had the year before,” she said. “We didn’t have live utilization data.”

Real-Time Data, Real Impact

That changed when CCAD implemented LabStats.

Now, Eileen and her team can track exactly how each lab and software title is being used—by program, location, and even time of day. That visibility has sparked deeper conversations around:

  • Which labs are critical to keep open
  • Where departments can consolidate resources
  • Whether expensive, specialized software is truly being used

“It kind of started a whole conversation for us,” Eileen said. “It wasn’t just about the data—it was about shifting our mindset.”

Art, Access, and Equity

In an art and design context, IT isn’t just a support function—it’s central to how students learn. Programs like Graphic Design and Game Art require powerful software and hardware that not all students can afford personally. That makes lab access a matter of equity, not convenience.

“Some students have the recommended laptops. Some don’t,” said Eileen. “For them, the labs are essential.”

LabStats helps CCAD ensure those labs are equipped with the right tools for the students who need them most—without wasting resources on unused licenses or underutilized machines.

Smarter Renewals, Stronger Strategy

One of the most relatable pain points Eileen highlighted? Software licenses that stick around long after their intended use.

“We’ve had software that was only used by one adjunct for one section—and then that section gets dropped, but the license stays,” she said.

With LabStats, that cycle is broken. The IT team can see if a program like SketchUp was only launched twice in a semester, and use that data to have smarter conversations with academic leadership.

It’s no longer about gut feelings. It’s about informed decisions that support both financial sustainability and student success.

The Takeaway: Data is the New IT Superpower

CCAD’s story isn’t unique. Institutions everywhere are dealing with shrinking budgets, shifting modalities, and increasing pressure to prove value.

What makes CCAD stand out is how they’ve embraced data to navigate those challenges—not just to cut costs, but to reimagine what smart, student-centered IT looks like.Want to see how LabStats can help your campus do the same?
Schedule a demo and explore how real-time usage data can lead to better decisions, stronger strategy, and more equitable access for all students.


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