Lewis University Selects Ellucian Student to Advance Strategic Plan and Power Future Growth

Key Highlights:

• A customer for 10+ years, Lewis University is launching Project Tailwind, the university's modernization initiative supporting its 2026–2029 Taking Flight strategic plan.
• Lewis University will modernize to Ellucian Student, creating a unified AI-native platform connecting Student, HCM, and Finance.
• The initiative will strengthen institutional agility, streamline operations, and support Lewis University's vision to expand access and improve student success.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. and RESTON, Va., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, today announced that Lewis University, a private Catholic university serving more than 7,000 students and an Ellucian customer for more than a decade, will modernize to Ellucian Student, higher education's complete solution that powers the end-to-end student lifecycle. Together, Student, HCM (Human Capital Management), and Finance operate as one AI-native platform aligning people, resources, and decisions around Ellucian's vision to unlock learning for all.

For Lewis, the transformation will support the university's strategic focus on expanding opportunity and advancing student success through transformative, career-connected learning. The new platform will be delivered through Project Tailwind, Lewis University's institution-wide modernization initiative and a key component of its 2026–2029 Taking Flight strategic plan.

Enabling Lewis University's Future-Ready Vision

Transitioning to Ellucian Student will help Lewis University expand education access for traditional, online, workforce, and lifelong learners while building the institutional agility needed to pursue strategic growth opportunities. By investing in a modern technology foundation, Lewis will simplify operations across campus, strengthen decision-making, and give faculty and staff more time to focus on student success.

"We're proud to build on our relationship with Lewis University as it embarks on the next chapter of its transformation," said Laura Ipsen, President and CEO, Ellucian. "Lewis has a clear vision for broadening its reach, serving learners at every stage of their educational journey, and pursuing new opportunities that strengthen its mission. With Ellucian Student, including HCM and Finance, Lewis is combining its bold vision with AI built on decades of higher education expertise — providing the insight and automation the university needs to adapt with confidence and prioritize student success in every decision."

A Foundation for Strategic Growth

"Project Tailwind gives us the foundation to execute our strategic vision with greater agility and confidence," said Michael Rading, Chief Information Officer, Lewis University. "Ellucian Student connects the systems, data, and processes that support our students, faculty, and staff, allowing us to move faster, make more informed decisions, and continue expanding opportunities for the diverse learners we serve. That's how we'll continue delivering on our mission while preparing Lewis University for the future."

Building a More Agile Institution

Lewis University's digital transformation will:

• Build a connected AI-native platform across Student, HCM, and Finance.
• Strengthen reporting and analytics with real-time institutional insight.
• Streamline routine administrative processes through intelligent automation, giving faculty and staff more time to engage directly with students.
• Increase institutional agility to support strategic growth, new partnerships, and an expanding population of traditional, online, workforce, and lifelong learners.

To learn more about Ellucian Student, visit: https://www.ellucian.com/products/student 

WHAT IS LEWIS UNIVERSITY
Located 35 miles outside of downtown Chicago, Lewis University is a comprehensive, Catholic university, where the traditions of liberal learning, values and preparation for professional work come together with a synergy that gives the university its educational identity and focus. Founded in 1932, Lewis is a dynamic, coeducational university offering 80 undergraduate majors and programs of study, 35 graduate programs, and certificates of advanced study. Lewis is one of many schools sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, an international Roman Catholic teaching order, with more than 320 years of teaching experience in the Lasallian tradition. Lewis University has been named as one of America's best colleges by U.S. News & World Report, consistently ranking in the top tier of best Midwest master's-level universities.

WHAT IS ELLUCIAN
Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, serving more than 21 million students. Ellucian's AI-powered platform, trained on the richest dataset available in higher education, drives efficiency, personalized experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. Fueled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrolment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian's innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practices leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes.

Media Contacts
Greg Giangrande, Chief Marketing Officer
[email protected]

Jess Weston, Manager, Communications
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Kathrynne Skonicki, MSIS, MBA, Executive Director for Public Relations and Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE Ellucian