Student Success Collaborative Awards

This is the eleventh year in a row that EAB has recognized outstanding achievements in student success. Awardees are chosen from among the colleges, universities, and individuals that use Navigate360 or Starfish, EAB’s student recruitment and retention systems, as well as Edify, EAB’s data management solution. Winners are announced during CONNECTED, the industry’s leading student success event.

“As pressures on higher education mount, EAB’s university partners are embracing AI-driven technology to modernize operations, make better use of data, and enhance student support,” said EAB President of Technology, Scott Schirmeier. “Our 2025 Student Success Collaborative Award winners demonstrate how AI-enabled tools help staff elevate the student experience, improve graduation rates, and launch more students into successful careers.”

Read on to see this year’s award winners, past award winners, and award descriptions. For pictures of the winners and other updates from CONNECTED, check out EAB’s LinkedIn page.

Congratulations to our 2025 finalists

Return on Education

• Bowling Green State University
• Kean University
• New York University
• South Dakota Mines

Technology Pioneer

• Babson College
• Dallas College
• East Carolina University
• North Carolina Central University

Collaborative Citizen

• Everett Community College
• Florida Atlantic University
• Southeast Missouri State University
• Spelman College

CONNECTEDness

• AI Beta Cohort – Alamo Colleges District, Hunter College, the City University of New York, Louisiana State University, University of Vermont
• Montana State University System
• Reedley College
• Stony Brook University

Visionary Leadership

• Dr. Bill Fiege, President, Brightpoint Community College
• Dr. T. Chase Hagood, Vice Provost for Student Success, The University of Utah
• Timothy L. Hatchett, Ph.D., Chief Student Affairs Officer/Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, Fort Valley State University
• Renee Tastad, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, Holyoke Community College

Excellence in Technology Administration:

• Mary Amador, Program Specialist, Office of Institutional Research, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Carroll Crowson, Director of Academic Support Programs, Baylor University
• Caron Gomes, Systems Analyst/Programmer, Mt. San Antonio College
• Alicia Stuedemann, Director of New Student and Retention Programs, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Past Winners

Technology Pioneer Award

• Utah Tech University
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Sierra College
• Marshall University
• Washburn University
• Trident Technical College
• Baylor University
• Colorado Community College System
• Mercy College
• West Virginia University
• Bakersfield College
• Pepperdine University

Return on Education Award

• Idaho State University
• Tuskegee University
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• Perimeter College at Georgia State University
• California State University – Fullerton
• State University of New York at Albany
• University of South Alabama
• East Kentucky University
• Middle Tennessee State University
• Pacific Union College
• South Puget Sound Community College
• Lynn University

Collaborative Citizen Award

• University of Missouri
• University of the District of Columbia
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• National Louis University
• Broward College
• University of Delaware
• Cerro Coso Community College
• Elizabeth City State University
• Samford University
• University of Northern Colorado
• Southern Illinois University
• Ramapo College of New Jersey
• Texas Southern University

Excellence in Technology Administration Award

• Jessica Skipper, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Jessica Bucher, Tarleton State University
• Dolores Radlo, Lasell University
• John W. Ellenberger, Penn State University
• Pooja Agrawal, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay

Visionary Leadership Award

• Kal Srinivas, Syracuse University
• Janice Stubbs, Broward College
• Stacey Moore, York Technical College
• Lisa Matye Edwards, Arapahoe Community College
• Elizabeth Lambert, Keuka College
• Stacey Bradley, University of South Carolina
• Shawn Utley, Wiregrass Community College
• Melissa Boog, Salisbury University
• Thomas Enders, California State University – Long Beach
• Andy Alt, Bowling Green State University
• Dr. Jose Aviles, Louisiana State University

CONNECTEDness Award

• Central Virginia Community College
• Cerro Coso Community College
• Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
• Porterville College
• Southeastern Wisconsin Moon Shot Region (University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Carthage College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, University of Wisconsin – Parkside)
• Old Dominion University
• Winthrop University
• York Technical College

Award Types

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  Technology Pioneer Award

  An institution that is on the leading edge when it comes to use of EAB technology. This can include participating as an alpha partner in new tools and modules, and/or using their platform in an innovative way.

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  Return on Education Award

  An institution that has driven significant and measurable results/ROI as a part of their EAB Student Success partnership. Quantifiable results are an essential component of this award.

• 

  Collaborative Citizen Award

  An institution that selflessly shares their practices and approaches to student success and strives to help their peers succeed. This can include participation in collaborative events, prospect-facing marketing opportunities, crediting EAB at industry conferences, etc.

• 

  Excellence in Technology Administration Award

  An individual who has shown exceptional dedication to improving their technology configurations & best practices, and who goes above and beyond in their commitment to student success through the help of EAB technology and contributing to the strength of their tech admin peer community.

• 

  Visionary Leadership Award

  An individual who has helped their institution see significant, positive change through, for example: data-informed strategy-setting, staff engagement successful reorganizations, perseverance in the face of significant challenges, etc.

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  CONNECTEDness Award

  An institution that builds relationships across or beyond institution types, connecting community colleges, four-year schools, employers and/or the broader higher education community.