The Illinois Institute of Technology has been named a 2025 AWS Champions Award winner for reimagining the college admissions experience through a bold and forward-thinking use of AI and cloud technologies. By automating the traditionally manual transcript processing task using partner-built AI on AWS, the university has dramatically reduced evaluation timelines from weeks to just 24 hours. This has allowed the institution to unlock faster, more personalized engagement with prospective students.

This transformation not only streamlines admissions operations but also empowers Illinois Tech to compete more effectively in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape, setting a new benchmark for admissions efficiency and responsiveness.

Project Overview
To eliminate backlogs and delays that once slowed the admissions process, Illinois Tech deployed an advanced, AI-driven solution that intelligently extracts and interprets data from student transcripts. Built on a secure and scalable AWS multi-account architecture, the system automates transcript evaluation, freeing up staff to focus on more strategic and human-centered activities.

This architecture also laid the foundation for Illinois Tech’s broader data strategy, enabling real-time, data-informed decision-making across the student journey. With enhanced infrastructure governance and scalability, the university has built an environment that supports rapid innovation and high standards of operational excellence.

Challenges Addressed: Delays, Manual Work, and Fragmented Systems
Before adopting AWS, Illinois Tech’s admissions team faced several pressing challenges:

• Manual transcript review: Slowed down decision-making and overwhelmed admissions staff, limiting capacity for relationship-building. 
• Delayed communication: Lagging turnaround times led to declining yield rates as students committed elsewhere. 
• Operational silos: A fragmented IT environment limited visibility and agility across departments, hindering coordinated enrollment strategies. 

These obstacles made it difficult for the institution to compete for top applicants and scale operations without adding headcount or compromising service quality.

Results: Faster Evaluations, Higher Yield, and Scalable Impact
By transitioning to an AI-powered, cloud-based platform, Illinois Tech achieved measurable gains across key admissions performance indicators:

• Evaluation turnaround time reduced from weeks to 24 hours 
• Transcript processing workload cut by over 50% 
• Application review capacity doubled without increasing staff 
• Improved governance with a secure AWS landing zone supporting compliance and scalability 
• Enhanced reporting and faster access to data for departments involved in recruitment and student success 

These outcomes reflect a major leap forward in both efficiency and student experience to position Illinois Tech as a leader in tech-enabled admissions.

A New Standard for Admissions Innovation
Illinois Institute of Technology’s transformation proves that meaningful innovation in higher education doesn’t require a complete overhaul. It begins with a well-defined challenge, the right technology, and a commitment to better outcomes for students and staff alike.