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The Watermark story

In a fast-changing higher ed landscape shaped by budget pressure and burnout, you need a partner who meets you where you are. For over 25 years, we’ve helped institutions manage complex data. Today, we apply human-first, responsibly infused AI to remove friction, so you can focus on student success.

But technology is only part of the equation. With deep higher ed expertise, real people behind our support, and a 98.3% customer satisfaction score in 2025, we do the heavy lifting alongside you, so progress feels possible, not overwhelming.

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About Watermark

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Our philosophy

Data without context is just noise. Our Educational Impact Suite (EIS) delivers purpose-built solutions for core academic and operational processes that work in concert with your LMS, SIS, and other campus systems. Together, they create a complete picture of institutional performance.

Now, we add another layer. Every time we build new functionality or refine an existing tool, we ask: “How can AI help remove friction and support better, faster decisions while preserving human judgement?”

Our AI is not about replacing people. It’s about empowering you to focus on what matters most to your institution. Our AI is woven into how we think about data and as a foundational dimension of how Watermark helps institutions evolve.

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Our unified tech stack

Colleges and universities suffering from disjointed software solutions risk fragmenting their missions. Higher education requires a centralized system that is capable of driving critical action in core processes like assessment, accreditation, faculty review, and student success initiatives. Learn how the innovative EIS can deliver just that.

Discover the EIS

Our history

Watermark was formed in 2018 by bringing together trusted higher ed innovators like Taskstream, Tk20, LiveText, Digital Measures, EvaluationKIT, and SmartCatalog. In 2022, we welcomed Aviso Retention to strengthen our focus on student success and predictive analytics.

We united these leading solutions to give higher education leaders a connected, purpose-built technology environment that links outcomes assessment, accreditation, faculty activity, course evaluation, curriculum management, and student success. Today, we’re building on that foundation—preserving what works, innovating responsibly with AI, and empowering institutions to improve continuously and drive meaningful impact.

Taskstream was created in New York, NY, with a mission to help educators improve the assessment of student learning outcomes.

Tk20 was founded in Austin, TX, focusing on helping colleges better prepare teacher candidates and meet new standards through specialized software.

EvaluationKIT was founded in Denver, CO, to improve the inefficient, paper-based workflows used for collecting student feedback and course evaluations.

March 2017: The two leading providers merged to form the largest assessment management technology company in higher education.

September 2017: LiveText joined the Taskstream-Tk20 family, immediately expanding the company’s comprehensive suite of solutions for assessment, accreditation, and ePortfolios.

October 2017: The organization reached a major milestone, serving 1,000 higher education institutions—nearly a quarter of all institutions in America.

January 2018: The company rebranded itself as “Watermark,” a name representing an enduring commitment to high-quality technology and trustworthy data for customers.

June 2018: Watermark hosted its first annual user conference, Watermark Engage, in Austin, TX, with over 400 clients participating from the US and Canada.

June 2018: Digital Measures, the leading provider of solutions for managing faculty activity, became part of the Watermark family.

July 2018: EvaluationKIT, the established leader in course evaluation and institutional survey solutions, officially joined Watermark.

October 2018: SmartCatalog, the first provider of a complete academic content management system including curriculum and catalog management, joined Watermark.

Aviso Retention, a leader in student success solutions focused on improving retention and engagement, joined Watermark.

Watermark partnered with Lightcast to integrate real-time labor market data directly into the Planning & Self-Study product.

May 2024: Watermark partnered with GoReact to integrate its video feedback platform directly with the Student Learning & Licensure solution.

December 2024: Our Educational Impact Suite (EIS) won three major accolades, including the EdTech Breakthrough Enrollment Management Solution Provider of the Year, a Gold TITAN Business Award, and a Stevie American Business Award.

Watermark expanded our partnership with Instructure to create a more connected ecosystem linking teaching, learning, and assessment through Canvas.

Our leadership team

Erin Shy headshot
Erin Shy

Chief Executive Officer
Kyle Akerman headshot
Kyle Akerman

Chief of Staff
Darren Bauer Kahan
Darren Bauer Kahan

Chief Product & Technology Officer
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Alex Leader

Chief Client Officer
Melissa Pippine Headshot
Melissa Pippine

Chief Marketing Officer
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Torie M. Orton

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
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Matt Rhodes

Chief Financial Officer
Kelly Walker headshot
Kelly Walker

VP of People

Want to work with us? View our open positions!

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Browse our resource library

See how our tools are helping clients right now, get in-depth information on topics that matter, and stay up-to-date on trends in higher ed.

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Watermark’s responsible use of AI statement

Discover the principles guiding Watermark’s responsible use of AI in higher education, ensuring transparency, fairness, and human oversight in all solutions.

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Case Study

Reynolds Community College blueprint student-centered assessment

Read this case study to see how Reynolds Community College used Watermark’s assessment and course evaluation tools to overcome data management inefficiencies, simplify their accreditation reporting, and achieve
What sets Planning & Self-Study Apart?
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What sets Planning & Self-Study apart?

Watermark Planning & Self-Study unifies all your assessment and accreditation processes. Click to see how our intuitive system changes the game and outperforms the competition.
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