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Celebrating Innovation in Higher Education

On April 9, 2025, Ellucian hosted its seventh annual Impact Awards at Ellucian Live, the leading technology conference for higher education. This year’s awards highlighted institutions that have leveraged Ellucian's technology to enhance outcomes for students and institutions alike.

Laura Ipsen, President and CEO of Ellucian, expressed pride in recognizing the commitment and creativity shown by winners and finalists, who have embraced innovative approaches to overcome challenges in the evolving landscape of higher education. According to Ipsen, these recipients not only demonstrate technological adaptation but also a deep understanding of student needs and institutional goals.

Categories of Excellence

The awards were presented across four distinct categories:
1. Students First
2. Unlocking the Power of Data
3. Excellence in SaaS Modernization
4. Institutional Agility

Students First: Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University (FSU), based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has created an initiative emphasizing student financial success. By revamping their financial aid processes, FSU has significantly improved communication with students. Their initiatives resulted in a remarkable 62% open rate for financial aid information emails and streamlined the handling of student inquiries and appeals. Not only did this integration lead to high engagement, but it also promoted growth in enrollment and retention rates, demonstrating how focused technological implementation can yield positive educational outcomes.

Unlocking the Power of Data: Muskegon Community College

Muskegon Community College in Michigan has made waves with its implementation of the JayHawk Hub, utilizing data-driven insights from Ellucian's suite. This innovative platform targets non-academic barriers affecting student success, such as food and housing insecurities. By employing real-time engagement metrics, the college was able to offer tailored support and significantly improve retention rates among underserved students. The data-driven approach strengthened community ties, solidified funding opportunities, and established Muskegon Community College as a leader in student advocacy.

Excellence in SaaS Modernization: Kaskaskia College

Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Illinois, has excelled in SaaS modernization, successfully migrating from an in-house system to the Colleague SaaS platform. This strategic transition brought considerable cost savings and enhanced productivity in administrative processes. The IT department alone saved 40 to 60 hours weekly by not having to manage tedious manual updates and maintenance, allowing resources to be allocated to strategic planning and better software deployment. The financial impact was significant, saving the institution $471,000 annually through reduced infrastructure costs.

Institutional Agility: Montgomery College

Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, showcased its adaptability by transitioning to the Banner SaaS system, aimed at improving operational efficiency. By modernizing their technology infrastructure, the college anticipates a substantial reduction in time spent on manual tasks and technology costs. This agility not only aids in managing current challenges but optimizes processes such as registration and financial aid, highlighting how embracing technology can drive institutional resilience.

Conclusion

The 2025 Ellucian Impact Awards serve as a beacon of innovation in higher education, spotlighting institutions that are not only using technology but are reshaping the educational landscape through it. As Ellucian continues to partner with institutions worldwide, the emphasis remains on fostering environments where students can succeed, supported by data-driven insights and engaging technology solutions. For further exploration of Ellucian's offerings, visit Ellucian's official website.

Understanding how technology can transform educational environments fundamentally is key to empowering students and institutions alike as they navigate future challenges.