Institutional Researchers as Trainers, Coaches, and Educators

1. Institutional Researchers as Trainers, Coaches, and Educators TAIR Conference Houston, TX | February 28, 2017 Gina Johnson, PhD | Association for Institutional Research Kara Larkan-Skinner, EdD | Our Lady of the Lake University Jessica Shedd, MA | University of Texas System

2. Presentation Outline • Brief overview of AIR’s Duties & Functions of Institutional Research • Why institutional researchers as trainers, coaches, and educators? • Practical examples from the field: • Our Lady of the Lake University • University of Texas System • University of California – Merced and University of Denver • Discussion

3. AIR’s Duties & Functions of IR • Identify information needs • Collect, analyze, interpret, and report data and information • Plan and evaluate • Serve as stewards of data and information • Educate information producers, users, and consumers https://www.airweb.org/Resources/Pages/IR-Duties-Functions.aspx

4. Educate information producers, users, and consumers This functional area encompasses the training and coaching related to the use of data, analysis, and information to inform decision making. Education can be focused on ensuring the ability to collect, access, analyze, and interpret information independently and in collaboration with other stakeholders. The function also includes a collaborative role in convening discussions related to information needs and connecting internal and external producers and users of data with one another for purposes of informing decision making. Scholarship to inform and improve data, information, and analysis for decision support is also included in this function.

5. Why should IR train, coach, & educate? • The field of IR is evolving and it is more important than ever to define the duties and functions of IR • Data and information are more accessible and one of IR’s roles is to help people understand these data and information • A more educated constituency can ensure more and higher quality institutional research is conducted

6. Examples from the Field

7. Our Lady of the Lake University • Training for users on Dashboards • Training for Enrollment Management Staff on how to analyze and use data independent of IR • Collaborative, Cross-functional teams • IR staff attend non-IR conferences and later lead campus conversations about data collection and application (AACRAO/NACUBO) • Facilitate survey design and development and provide analysis and feedback on how to distribute results

8. The University of Texas System

9. Stakeholder & Consumer Tools • Dashboard • Group Trainings • Individual real-time training • Site revamp in late 2015 http://dashboard.utsystem.edu/ • Tool for students and families • UT System Institution campus visits • SAC & campus ‘Student Champions’ • Ads & HS Counselor materials • Variety of conference presentations http://www.utsystem.edu/seekut/

10. IR Capacity & System as a Resource • Data Request System • Reduce reporting burden • Building a searchable database • Predictive Analytics: Admits and Matriculation • Work closely with Financial Aid and IR Offices to build predictive model

11. Anticipating Future Questions & Concerns • THECB’s 60x30 Strategic Plan • Legislative Session Related Requests • ‘Quantum Leaps’ and Cross-Departmental Teams

12. University of California - Merced

13. IR Training, Coaching, and Educating Examples

14. “You don’t climb mountains without a team, you don’t climb mountains without being fit, you don’t climb mountains without being prepared and you don’t climb mountains without balancing the risks and rewards. And you never climb a mountain on accident – it has to be intentional.” Mark Udall

15. Building a Culture of Measurement at DU • Decentralized – about relationships • Board of Trustees report called for “Culture of Measurement” • IR, IT, Strategic Planning created Information, Measurement, & Analysis Council • Provided training for IMA professionals • Train the trainer allowed them to train units

16. Discussion

17. Contact Us Gina Johnson Strategy Director for IR Capacity Initiatives, AIR Email: gjohnson@airweb.org Twitter: @GinaJohnsonIR Kara Larkan-Skinner AVP, Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation, OLLU Email: klarkan-skinner@ollusa.edu Jessica Shedd Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives, UT System Email: jshedd@utsystem.edu