Behind the Scenes of Vet Med’s Tech Refresh
The University of Arizona’s College of Veterinary Medicine (Vet Med) is known for providing students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for the future of veterinary care. With a commitment to innovation, Vet Med recently completed a major technology refresh in its academic labs, ensuring faculty and students have access to modern, efficient, and reliable technology to enhance learning in the classroom.
The refresh was part of a broader university initiative to streamline and standardize technology across departments. Ramses Partida, Information Technology Support Analyst with University Information Technology Services (UITS), supported the refresh effort for Vet Med. He described Vet Med as one of UITS’s more unique support environments.
“Vet Med is really its own world,” Partida said. “It operates a bit differently than other departments on campus, especially since it’s located off the main campus. They have very specific needs, and our role is to make sure their technology supports those unique goals.”
The lab refresh was driven by multiple factors, including the university’s commitment to maintaining up-to-date equipment, streamlining IT support, and ensuring thoughtful investment in technology resources. “One of the biggest goals was standardizing equipment to make support easier and more efficient,” Partida explained. “We also made sure Vet Med’s investment in the refresh delivered the best value possible, aligning with the university’s efforts to be strategic with resources.”
The refresh focused primarily on classroom technology, including replacing outdated instructor computers and laptops with standardized, up-to-date models. Specialized software was also configured to support essential teaching tools, including programs that interface with microscopes and herd tracking systems used in agricultural veterinary training.
“Our priority was making sure the faculty had everything they needed to run classes efficiently – Microsoft Office, Adobe, specialized software for microscopes – everything was set up and ready to go before students returned,” Partida said. “It was important to minimize disruptions.”
To ensure a smooth transition, the UITS team carefully coordinated the rollout during a scheduled academic break. “Vet Med operates on an accelerated program, so we didn’t have the typical long breaks,” said Partida. “We timed the refresh over a two-week period when students were off, so by the time they returned, everything was tested and ready to use.”
For Partida, the success of the project came down to preparation. “What I’m most proud of is how smooth the process was because of the upfront planning,” he said. “It really comes down to checking all the boxes beforehand and making sure people had what they needed on day one.”
While Vet Med’s technology needs are ever-evolving, Partida credits the collaborative relationship between IT teams and the college’s on-site staff for making complex projects like this refresh seamless. “Technology works best when it’s backed by people who care,” he said. “Vet Med’s on-site support staff are amazing, and it makes a real difference for the students.”
With the technology refresh complete, Vet Med continues to offer a cutting-edge educational experience, combining world-class veterinary instruction with modern technology infrastructure to prepare students for success.