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Christi Segal, left, an executive at Ellucian, presents the 2026 Ellucian Impact Award to Cole Allen, CIO at Florida Polytechnic University. The University was honored for enhancing the student experience through technology.

Florida Poly earns global recognition for digital campus transformation

May 15, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University has been recognized with the prestigious 2026 Ellucian Impact Award for transforming the student experience through advanced technology solutions that improve student success and operational efficiency.

Florida Poly was one of only four institutions worldwide honored by Ellucian through the company’s annual Impact Award Program, which celebrates colleges and universities pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation in higher education.

The University received the Students First award for creating a unified, student-first digital campus experience through MyFloridaPoly, a centralized platform that consolidates academic, administrative, and campus life resources into a single hub for students.

The transformation produced measurable results across the campus. Florida Poly reduced login barriers by 85%, increased mobile usage by 70%, and helped students save up to two hours per week by streamlining access to essential tools and services. At the same time, the University retired more than 100 customizations and reduced infrastructure and licensing costs by 40%, creating a modern and scalable environment designed to support continuous advancement and student success.

“This recognition reflects our commitment to using technology to make the student experience simpler, more connected, and more effective,” said Cole Allen, the University’s vice president of information technology and CIO. “MyFloridaPoly was designed to give students easier and more timely access to the tools, services, and information they need. By modernizing our digital environment and reducing unnecessary complexity, we are creating a stronger foundation for student success and continued innovation.”

Each 2026 Ellucian Impact Award-winning institution received a $25,000 award to support continued innovation and student success initiatives.

“Higher education is being redefined in real time, and this year’s Impact Award winners exemplify what it means to lead through change,” said Laura Ipsen, president and CEO of Ellucian. “These institutions are harnessing the full power of Ellucian’s AI-driven, SaaS-native solutions to break down barriers, unlock insights, and create more connected, student-centered experiences.”

Ellucian partners with approximately 3,000 higher education institutions across 50 countries and serves more than 21 million students worldwide. The company provides technology solutions designed to improve institutional agility, efficiency, and student outcomes through data-driven decision-making and AI-powered digital experiences.

 

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Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
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Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.