Florida State University’s Office of Institutional Research (IR) has received the 2025 TaxWatch Government Productivity Award for a training program that equips employees across the university with new tools and skills — while saving Florida taxpayers millions of dollars.
The TaxWatch Awards ceremony, held at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, recognized state agencies and workgroups who have enhanced services, improved efficiencies and delivered significant cost savings to taxpayers. In 2025, FSU’s Office of Institutional Research was one of just 10 entities honored for its contributions.
“This award highlights how the Office of Institutional Research is empowering employees to engage with data in ways that directly improve their work and strengthen FSU,” said Associate Vice Provost and Chief Data and Analytics Officer James Hunt. “It’s about meeting people where they are and giving them tools to succeed.”
“This award highlights how the Office of Institutional Research is empowering employees to engage with data in ways that directly improve their work and strengthen FSU. It’s about meeting people where they are and giving them tools to succeed.”
— James Hunt, Associate Vice Provost and Chief Data and Analytics Officer
The IR training program was designed to equip FSU employees with critical data and technology skills tailored to the university’s specific tools and compliance needs. Leveraging Microsoft 365, the program automates scheduling, enrollment and digital badge issuance, offering accessibility and efficiency.
By eliminating reliance on external sourced trainings, the program has saved over $100,000 in direct training costs. When factoring in enhanced productivity, employee retention and reduced outsourcing, it delivers an estimated $10 million in annual taxpayer savings.
“I’m most proud that this program doesn’t just save money — it contextualizes training for the day-to-day operations of FSU and builds a culture of excellence,” said Institutional Research Program Director Lee Howell. “Employees gain skills directly applicable to their roles, departments benefit from faster and more accurate reporting, and the university is better equipped to serve the state of Florida.
Offering a catalog of 10 courses, the trainings include sessions on tools such as Excel and Oracle Business Intelligence and are designed to support all skill levels — ranging from foundational ‘Day Zero’ sessions for beginners to advanced certifications for experienced users.
In the past year, the team delivered 60 sessions to more than 860 employees across FSU’s Tallahassee, Panama City and international campuses in Florence, Italy and London, U.K.
“We often see faculty members and facilities staff learning side by side in Excel trainings,” Howell said. “Everyone learns practical skills they can apply immediately — whether it’s a professor managing research data or a facilities team member tracking budgets. It’s a powerful way to build skills across roles and strengthen the entire university workforce.”
A twelve-member team, composed of nine Institutional Research staff — Lee Howell, Andrew Brady, Samantha Nix, Heather Epstein-Diaz, Eclipse Ramsey, Katie Gipalo, Logan Poland, Gene Cilluffo, Zachary Stoffers, Caitlyn Jesse and Sarah Sikes — along with Human Resources collaborator Emily Kennelly, developed this ecosystem to meet FSU’s unique needs. Kennelly’s work as an instructional designer, particularly in the creation of digital badges, integrates IR’s offerings into FSU’s broader training infrastructure, strengthening connections to leadership development and ensuring the university workforce is better supported.
“We’re empowering people across campus to pull their own data, use these tools effectively and apply them directly to the work they do at the university,” said Institutional Research Associate Director Andrew Brady. “Our goal is to show them how these resources fit into their unique roles, so they can make informed decisions and work more efficiently.”
For more information on IR’s training programs, visit ir.fsu.edu.