Frequently Asked Questions
On February 18, 2021, EAB announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Hobsons’ student success platform, Starfish. The addition of Starfish’s complementary solutions will enhance EAB’s postsecondary student success capabilities and enrich its network of college and university partners. The transaction is expected to be finalized following the completion of customary closing conditions.
EAB is an education company that serves more than 1,900 colleges, universities, and K-12 schools. Our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. To do this, we harness the collective power of all of our partner schools to uncover and apply proven practices and transformative insights. From kindergarten to college and beyond, EAB partners with education leaders, practitioners, and staff members to accelerate progress and drive results across three key areas: enrollment management, student success, and institutional operations and strategy.
The Starfish student success platform helps colleges and universities scale their student success efforts so more students can achieve their academic and life goals. At its foundation, Starfish’s platform helps higher education institutions implement reliable data to pinpoint areas of concern and opportunity within courses and student populations, as well as institutional programs and services. Upon identifying these opportunities, the platform enables staff to connect students with helpful resources on campus and also allows administrators to refine their student success strategies.
Our companies have spent a combined 25+ years in pursuit of a common mission: helping more students succeed. Together, with our complementary solutions and focuses, we can innovate faster to improve students’ experiences and outcomes. The Starfish and EAB teams can also expand their collective efforts to champion students, including initiatives that help students who are facing financial distress or mental health challenges find support and EAB’s Moon Shot for Equity, a region-by-region holistic approach to closing equity gaps.
Starfish clients will benefit from EAB’s innovation, experience, and resources, including investments in technology, client service, regional strategic alliances, and research. For example, Starfish clients will have access to EAB’s Student Success Collaborative, a community of institutions working together to improve student experiences and ensure equitable outcomes. As part of their membership in the Collaborative, Starfish partners will have access to EAB’s student success research.
We are excited about the talent and experience that Starfish employees will bring to EAB. After closing, Starfish team members will be joining EAB. Scott Schirmeier, EAB’s President of Technology, will lead both the EAB and Starfish student success businesses.
Yes. EAB is committed to maintaining high levels of service and support for the Starfish platform—and the schools and students it serves. Moreover, there will be additional benefits to Starfish clients, such as access to EAB’s student success research and insights.
Until closing, EAB and Starfish will continue to operate independently. If you are an EAB or Starfish client, for any assistance with or questions related to your current solution, you should continue to reach out to your designated customer service representative at the company with which you currently partner. For more information about the transaction, please click to learn more.
Please direct media inquiries to Garen Cuttler at gcuttler@eab.com.
EAB to acquire Hobsons’ student success platform, Starfish
Together, EAB and Starfish can accelerate the pace of insight and innovation and further support students at key stages of their educational journeys.
