As an institutional researcher, I have never gotten a 2:00 a.m. phone call notifying me of a data emergency. I’ve never been asked to come to campus immediately to assist the data crisis response team or make pivot tables. Never. However – my colleagues in...
We all have strengths … and weaknesses. It feels much better to think about the strengths, though. Who wants to really dwell on their weaknesses? It takes a lot more energy, and certainly doesn’t feel very good. So, it’s no wonder why people bump “address institutional weaknesses”...
Have you started to notice “Cross-functional team management skills" required on recent job postings or asked about in interviews? I certainly have. But what does that really mean? It sounds like a clever way of saying ‘you’ll need to manage a group of people who...
“What gets measured, gets managed.” We’ve all heard this phrase (written by Peter Drucker in 1954). Some 65+ years later it has been used a TON—and misused almost as often. Some folks have taken it as a license to ‘add one more metric’ that should...
Just before the holidays, one of my favorite inspirational writers, Seth Godin, put up a new post on his website. In writing about “The Real Scam of Influencer,” Seth included this nugget (among others): “When there’s a single metric (likes/followers), we end up looking in...
This beginning of the school year is such a great time of year. Of course, THE best part is that its also the beginning of IPEDS season! Yes, I know — and you do, too, if you read my last blog — I get a...
I’m heading back to work today after spending two great days in DC with 29 other incredible IPEDS Educator colleagues. This was my 11th IIE, and true to form, it didn't disappoint. Here We Go Again! As I shift my focus back to my daily responsibilities...
I have been working in higher education for nearly 20 years. This year marks my 11th year as an IPEDS trainer (Yay!!). Time and again, people ask me: "What is a 'good' graduation rate?". And time and again, I'm reminded that I don't exactly have...
Conferences, especially big conferences, can be overwhelming for anyone. The AIR Forum 2019 certainly qualifies as a big conference. And it can DEFINITELY be overwhelming. Over the years, I've gained some perspective and tips that help me maximize my time at the Forum and avoid...
This year's Association for Institutional Research Annual Forum is finally almost here! It took me f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to build my agenda because the program is so packed with great learning and networking opportunities. I am so looking forward to networking with old and new colleagues,...
