Fayetteville State University Expands Campus Cardiac Safety with Deployment of 70+ Avive Connect AED®s
FSU joins a growing number of HBCUs advancing campus-wide emergency preparedness and cardiac arrest response efforts with an innovative AED program.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University has deployed more than 70 Avive Connect AED®s (Automated External Defibrillators) across its campus, strengthening emergency preparedness and reinforcing the University’s commitment to protecting lives through proactive, community-centered safety initiatives.
The university joins a growing number of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide that are investing in modern, scalable AED programs to address health risks on campus and help close longstanding gaps in emergency response and cardiac arrest survival in Black communities.
“At Fayetteville State University, we don’t react; we lead,” said Elizabeth Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for Risk and Compliance. “Our decision to deploy advanced AED technology is not simply an investment; it is a declaration that the health and safety of our community is non-negotiable. We are setting the bar for what preparedness must look like in higher education, and we expect others to follow. Every Bronco deserves the assurance that, here, their lives come first and we will meet every emergency with precision, urgency, and resolve.”
Fayetteville State selected the Avive Connect AED to support a more coordinated and connected emergency response. When in use, the device automatically sends an alert to 911, sharing real-time location data and helping to enable faster coordination during an emergency. The AEDs are designed to be more intuitive and less intimidating for bystanders to use, with clear audio and visual instructions to guide users through each step of care and a Training Mode so users can practice on the same lifesaving devices deployed throughout campus.
Beyond emergency response, the connected technology also allows campus safety and environmental health teams to remotely monitor AED readiness, reducing manual AED checks and helping ensure devices are always healthy and ready to be used.
“This technology transforms our approach to campus safety,” said Andrea Cortez, environmental health safety professional. “Real-time oversight ensures every device is always ready for use, both in theory and in practice. We are eliminating uncertainty and establishing a new standard for operational reliability. When an emergency occurs, our resources will be fully prepared.”
Commitment to Research, Community Safety, and Cardiac Arrest Outcomes
Beyond this campus AED deployment, Fayetteville State University continues to demonstrate leadership in advancing cardiac arrest awareness and outcomes through its involvement in the RACE-CARS Trial (Rapid Access to Cardiac Emergency Services-Cardiac Arrest Response System). Cumberland County is one of the North Carolina counties participating in this landmark, seven-year research initiative led by Duke Clinical Research Institute.
As part of this effort, participating communities are supporting large-scale CPR and AED education initiatives, including an ambitious goal to train 30,000 people in CPR and AED use in a single day (February 25, 2026), setting a potential world record. Fayetteville State’s nursing students and community partners will be leading a campus-wide event on this day, aiming to train hundreds of students, staff, and faculty in CPR and AED use with Avive Connect AEDs.
By pairing its investment in 70+ lifesaving AEDs with a hands-on training and education event, Fayetteville State is amplifying the impact of its cardiac safety program and setting a new standard for what meaningful preparedness looks like in practice.
About Avive Solutions, Inc.
Avive Solutions is on a mission to significantly increase survival rates from Sudden Cardiac Arrest by bringing connected, intelligent AEDs to where they’re needed most. The Avive Connect AED® is lightweight, portable, and designed for real-world use by both trained professionals and lay rescuers. Learn more at www.avive.life.