Washington State University’s Carson College of Business has partnered with Elsmere Education, a division of Human Capital Education (HCE), to enable the long-term growth and excellence of its online graduate business programs. The collaboration marks a strategic shift from traditional Online Program Management (OPM) models toward a more sustainable, transparent, and institution-centered approach. 

For more than 20 years, the Carson College of Business has led in online business education, offering accessible, high-quality programs for working professionals. This partnership builds on that legacy by empowering the university to future-proof operations and expand student success. 

To achieve this, the Carson College of Business is internalizing core functions such as enrollment management and student success. By licensing Elsmere’s Education Process as a Service (EPaaS) ecosystem, the university lowers implementation costs while accelerating the impact of its people and resources. 

“Our vision is to operate with greater agility, ownership, and insight into every aspect of the student journey,” said Dr. Deborah Compeau, Dean of the Carson College of Business. “Elsmere’s EPaaS model lets us manage key student-facing functions in-house while leveraging a scalable infrastructure built for higher education. This aligns with our long-term goals of institutional control, transparency, and financial sustainability.” 

Elsmere’s EPaaS technology and Growth Services enable universities like WSU to operate enrollment, retention, and student services with their own staff and policies—without revenue-sharing agreements. Unlike OPMs, Elsmere provides proprietary tools, workflows, analytics, and automation while supporting operational excellence and protecting institutional brand and mission. 

“The decision to move away from the OPM model reflects our commitment to a campus-led approach, with transparent reporting and long-term sustainability,” said Cheryl Oliver, Associate Dean of Professional Programs. “Elsmere stood out not only for its flexible, technology-driven infrastructure but also because it empowers us to internalize and continuously improve operations on our own terms.” 

“We are proud to enable the Carson College of Business to take greater control of online program operations,” said Justin McMorrow, CEO of Elsmere Education. “Our EPaaS ecosystem and Growth Services were built to help institutions grow sustainably without compromising mission or autonomy.” 

This transition underscores the Carson College of Business’ dedication to innovation, student success, and sustainable growth. The partnership is expected to drive measurable improvements in student experience, retention, and enrollment—all while keeping the university in full control.