Dallas’ Paul Quinn College has chosen Ellucian Colleague SaaS to modernize the technology operations of the innovative Historically Black College and University known for its Urban Work College model, Ellucian announced Tuesday.

A new Ellucian customer, Paul Quinn joins more than 1,600 Ellucian customers leveraging its SaaS solutions.

“Embracing Ellucian’s advanced technology solutions is a pivotal step in our ongoing journey to redefine higher education,” Paul Quinn President Dr. Michael J. Sorrell said in a statement. “While the cost is a significant investment for us, we’re confident that our partners at Ellucian will help us deliver a more efficient and user-friendly experience for our students, faculty, and staff.”

What the platform does

The company said that implementing its platform will provide Paul Quinn with a holistic technology infrastructure that’s modern, proven, and sustainable as the institution grows.

Last year, Sorrell talked about his vision for a global network of Urban Work Colleges that take aim at intergenerational poverty and “smash it.”

Now the pioneering HCBU Paul Quinn is “rebooting” its technology systems for the future through a sweeping, comprehensive, “holistic” modernization to support its innovative mission.

The new system also will enhance the user experience for students, faculty and staff, and streamline administrative processes across campus, Ellucian said. And with access to real-time insights, Paul Quinn will also be well-equipped to make data-driven decisions that improve student experiences and outcomes.

“We’re proud to support the technology transformation of Paul Quinn College, a groundbreaking HBCU that is shaking up traditional education paradigms,” Ellucian President and CEO Laura Ipsen said in a statement. “At our Ellucian Live conference earlier this year, President Michael Sorrell shared the inspiring story of his institution’s evolution and the establishment of an Urban Work College Model, which allows students to gain real-world work experience that directly translates into better post-graduation outcomes. As a company that champions innovation, we are honored to partner with an impactful institution that is challenging the status quo in higher education.”

First Urban Work College

Founded in 1872, Paul Quinn College is a private, faith-based, four-year, liberal arts-inspired college.

It was founded by a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church preachers in Austin. The school’s original purpose was to educate freed slaves and their offspring.

Today, it educates students of all races and socio-economic classes under the banner of its institutional ethos, WE over Me.

Paul Quinn is the first Urban Work College and only minority-serving, federally-recognized work college in America. It’s viewed as one of the most innovative colleges in America, one that continuously expands the boundaries of higher education and community advocacy in its quest to eradicate intergenerational poverty.

Ellucian said it powers innovation for higher education, partnering with more than 2,900 customers across 50 countries, serving 22 million students.

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