In today’s digital-first classrooms, students expect fast feedback and data security, while faculty need tools that reduce administrative burden. For one prestigious university, handling PDF-based assignment submissions within their learning management system (Canvas) had become inefficient and risky. Faculty were spending too much time manually redacting sensitive information from student submissions and correcting inconsistent file formatting—taking valuable time away from teaching and mentoring.
That all changed with the implementation of Foxit PDF Editor+ and its AI-powered Smart Redact tool. Foxit enabled automatic detection and removal of personally identifiable information (PII) within PDFs, giving faculty a streamlined way to handle submissions without compromising data privacy. With the integration of Foxit’s tools directly into their existing Canvas workflow, the university created a smoother academic experience for everyone involved.
Faculty could now review, edit, and finalize student documents directly within a secure platform—no external tools or tedious reformatting required. The Smart Redact tool helped eliminate human error, ensure compliance with institutional privacy standards, and give students confidence that their information was protected. And for IT teams? The number of support tickets tied to submission issues dropped significantly.
Operational results were immediate and measurable:
- Grading and document review times were significantly reduced
- Faculty were freed from repetitive manual redaction tasks
- Students felt more secure with how their personal data was handled
- IT fielded fewer help desk requests tied to PDF formatting and privacy issues
The university’s leadership praised the transition, noting how Foxit not only brought efficiency to administrative workflows but also strengthened the institution’s commitment to student privacy. Faculty are now able to focus more on academic interaction, while students benefit from faster feedback and a more consistent digital experience.
For any higher education institution looking to modernize how PDF submissions are managed and protected, this case study is a compelling example of how automation and AI can lead to smarter, more secure academic workflows.
Download the full case study to see how this top-tier university accelerated grading, improved data security, and empowered faculty and students alike with Foxit PDF Editor+ and Smart Redact.