Last week, Denver played host to an incredible Ellucian Live 2026, and the Ferrilli team was right in the center of the action. From high-speed virtual racing to major award wins on the main stage, it was a week defined by innovation, expertise, and a shared commitment to student success.

The Most Awarded Partner in the Ellucian Ecosystem

The highlight of the conference took place at the partners reception on Sunday evening where Ferrilli was named the Ellucian Most Enabled Partner of the Year.

This is the second consecutive year Ferrilli has taken home this specific honor and the fourth year in a row the company has been recognized with an Ellucian Partner Award. This milestone officially makes Ferrilli the most awarded Ellucian partner, solidifying our position as the premier choice for institutions seeking deep technical and strategic expertise.

Ferrilli President and CEO Robert Ferrilli noted that the recognition is more than just a trophy when speaking on the main stage in Wednesday’s general session:

“At Ferrilli, enablement is not a buzzword—it’s how we protect our customers’ outcomes… We’re the team institutions call to get them across the finish line. I’ve spent 25+ years in the Ellucian ecosystem. I have sat in your seat and I understand your challenges.”

Celebrating Innovation: Ellucian Experience Idol

The accolades continued as Ferrilli developer Aayush Patel won the prestigious Ellucian Idol award for Student Wellness. Aayush was recognized for the Ferrilli Student Wellness Experience Card, a tool designed to provide overwhelmed students with immediate, frictionless access to counselors, advisors, and faculty.

Reflecting Ferrilli’s Pledge 1% commitment, Robert announced that the award-winning Wellness Card will be provided free of charge to every institution through the Ellucian Marketplace.

“Because you can’t put a price on student well-being,” Ferrilli noted.

High-Octane Engagement at the Ferrilli Booth

Back in the exhibit hall, the Ferrilli booth was the talk of the conference. Embracing a Formula 1 theme, we invited attendees to get behind the wheel of a virtual F1 racecar. The competition was fierce as guests tested their driving skills while chatting with our experts about how to put their institutional IT strategy into the fast lane.

Leading the Conversation: Expert Sessions

Beyond the awards and the racing, the Ferrilli team led several high-impact sessions focused on the most pressing issues in higher ed today. Topics included:

  • Navigating the Migration to SaaS: Best practices for ensuring a smooth transition to the cloud.
  • Optimizing Payment Solutions: Streamlining financial processes for modern campuses.
  • Preparing for What’s Next: How institutions can operationalize AI, Workforce Pell, and new funding models within Ellucian Student.

Looking Ahead

As we head back from Denver, we want to extend a massive thank you to our clients and the Ellucian community. As a founder-led company, your partnership is what drives us to continue delivering excellence.

We’re already looking forward to seeing how we can help you “operationalize what’s next” in the coming year!