Florida Atlantic University Partners with Vector Solutions to Advance Student Success

The Customer

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, Florida

The Challenge

Florida Atlantic University supports a dynamic student body and serves more than 30,000 students across multiple campuses along the state’s southeastern coastline. It is considered a leader in social mobility, ranked among the top 50 institutions nationally for helping students improve their socioeconomic status (Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide and Rankings).

With this population comes a wide range of student needs. As Karen Murray, MS, Director of Owls Care Health Promotion, explains, “We have a large traditional-age student population, but we also serve many non-traditional, international students and distance learners. Our programs need to meet all of them where they are.”

In addition to the typical higher education wellness challenges, Florida Atlantic is examining the digital well-being of students and the impact of emerging technologies, such as generative AI, on student socialization and emotional health. “With the increasing popularity of AI tools and companion apps, we’re beginning to delve into the impact on isolation, loneliness, and healthy relationship development,” said Murray.

The Choice

To meet these growing needs, Florida Atlantic turned to Vector Solutions for scalable, evidence-based prevention training. The university implemented AlcoholEdu, CannabisEdu, Mental Well-Being for Students, and Sexual Assault Prevention courses as part of its comprehensive health education strategy.

Several key factors drove FAU’s decision:

• Evidence-Based and Comprehensive: Vector’s courses align with best practices in prevention education and support the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) used across FAU’s wellness programs.
• Centralized Management: The Vector LMS is housed under Murray’s office, allowing for coordination and efficiency across departments, including Title IX, Human Resources, and the Division of Student Affairs.
• Flexibility and Relevance: FAU appreciated Vector’s responsiveness and collaboration during statewide legislative changes affecting content delivery. “Because our program was centralized, we were able to be proactive, working directly with Vector to make updates before many schools were even aware of the needed changes,” said Murray.

In addition, FAU utilizes Vector training courses for faculty and staff development, incorporating modules on hazing prevention, discrimination, and harassment to promote a consistent campus-wide message regarding health and safety.

FAU has been a CPN Seal of Prevention recipient since the program began in 2020. This is a powerful testament to consistent excellence and unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement. This sustained recognition demonstrates not only the ability to meet rigorous standards year after year, but also a deep dedication to the students and campuses served.

The Change

Through its partnership with Vector Solutions, Florida Atlantic has developed a robust, data-driven prevention program that integrates online learning, peer education, and in-person interventions.

Using Vector’s online courses as universal, population-level interventions, FAU ensures students receive foundational education on wellness, alcohol and drug use, and sexual misconduct prevention. Murray explains, “These courses create a common language for students. When we hold peer-led discussions or workshops, we can go deeper because students are already exposed to the basics, and our sanctioned alcohol education small group interventions have greater participation and discussions when a student has completed the required alcohol prevention online education before attending the session.”

The results were impressive:

• 6,000+ completions of CannabisEdu in its first year, despite not having a penalty for not completing the training.
• A comprehensive strategy aligning Vector training courses with FAU’s first-year experience and student engagement programming.
• Integration of course impact data to shape campus campaigns and measure student outcomes.

Beyond compliance, Florida Atlantic has focused on building coalitions across the university, connecting HR, Title IX, and student health, safety, and well-being units to streamline prevention messaging. “Coalition building and partnerships are key,” Murray emphasized. “We touch more people because we train others to do the work rather than trying to do everything ourselves.”

The Future

FAU continues to expand its health and wellness strategy, with new initiatives focused on:

• Digital Wellness and Responsible AI Use
• Sexual Health Literacy and Body Awareness
• Campus-Wide Coalition Building

“We’re always assessing what’s happening in the environment, where we want to be, and how to close the gap,” said Murray. “Our partnership with Vector helps us do that.”

About Vector Solutions

Vector Solutions provides expert-authored online courses addressing a wide variety of important safety, well-being, and prevention topics in higher education. The courses empower students to make safe and healthy decisions so they can be safe and successful in college. The engaging courses combine academic and industry research, expert insights, best practices in online learning, and feedback from industry partners.

Course Topics Include:

• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention
• Wellness and Safety
• Athletics
• Sorority and Fraternity Life
• Career Readiness
• Personal Development