Eduventures Names Florida Atlantic a Winner of 2025 Online Learning Innovation Award

Florida Atlantic University was one of four higher education institutions named as a recipient of the 2025 Innovation Award at the Eduventures Summit, hosted by Encoura. Maura Flaschner, assistant vice president, Undergraduate Admissions and Student Success, and Jessica Lopez-Velez, Ph.D., director, Online Enrollment and Student Success, attended the event on June 17 in Chicago to receive the award. 

Several faculty members from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science have been instrumental in leading their department’s fully online programs to cultivate a student-centered culture of support for the college’s online learners. Among them are Michael Zourdos, Ph.D., chair and professor of the Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., chair and associate professor, Department of Geosciences. 

“Their commitment to achieving high-quality certifications for the courses in their programs is a clear reflection of the intentional, thoughtful work they have invested to deliver a world-class online education at Florida Atlantic,” stated Julie Golden-Botti, Ph.D., assistant provost, Center for Online and Continuing Education (COCE) in the Office of the Provost at Florida Atlantic University.  

In addition, the Schmidt College of Science has pioneered the development of award-winning online science laboratory courses, which has expanded access to students who are unable to attend classes on campus. Evonne Rezler, Ph.D., senior associate dean for Undergraduate Studies, has been a strong supporter of these essential services.  

“Dr. Rezler’s advocacy for these offerings, and her continued leadership in researching their effectiveness and impact on student engagement, further elevates Florida Atlantic’s position at the forefront of innovation in online STEM education,” expressed Golden-Botti.  

“The Department of Geosciences is proud to be part of the Florida Atlantic community pioneering advances in online student success supported by the COCE,” said Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., chair and associate professor, Department of Geosciences. “The Schmidt College of Science prioritizes support for online learners, offering online courses in various modalities that benefits students working full-time while also providing the flexibility for in-person students to have one or two courses per semester offered in an online setting. In addition to four GIS certificates offered fully online since 2009, we also provide students with the opportunity to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a selection of 30 different online courses.” 

The Eduventures Research Innovation Awards Program was created to recognize and showcase the achievements of organizations that share the group’s vision for a responsive, innovative higher education sector. Eduventures serves as Encoura’s research division, with expertise on traditional student demand, adult learner demand and academic program innovation. Encoura provides custom technology solutions that combines Eduventures’s research, data science, strategic enrollment services and multichannel marketing to more than 2,000 higher ed institutions. 

“It is wonderful to see Florida Atlantic take this award home. The COCE is an extraordinarily well-run department, as evidenced by their commitment to the highest caliber programs,” said Michael Zourdos, Ph.D., chair and professor, Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion (ESHP). “The COCE makes high-quality education accessible to those who are otherwise not able to attend. It is truly a pleasure to work with the COCE as they are proactively instituting the newest evidenced-based learning models, and they seamlessly work with academic departments, faculty and students to facilitate student success and community. The ESHP is honored to continue partnering and innovating with the COCE for years to come.” 

To read more about the University’s 2025 Eduventures Innovation Award, click here.