Metrics like completion rates are important measures of performance. But comparing your completion rates to those of the institution across town or others around the state ignores the fact that those institutions are different from yours. So, this approach doesn’t tell your whole story to...
Unpopular ideas are just that . . . unpopular. So, when you have a new idea or way of looking at the data, you often wonder if you should go out on a limb to share it. Wouldn’t it be great if there were others who think like...
We all have goals. Personal. Professional. Goals we share with family and friends. And others that we keep to ourselves until they are more developed. But what makes a goal good? We all want to “define success so we can have some of it” (Schloss, 2011)....
College and university foundation and advancement offices do important work. So do their supporting professional associations, such as CASE. Their work is critical to institutional success. But many people on campus still aren't aware that the gifts donors make to the institution often fund things...
At IEHE we are excited about RealityCheck, our new data analytic tool. VERY excited. (You may have noticed :) ) So, what is this tool? With anything new, there is a little bit of a learning curve – but in this case – well worth it....
Many higher education professionals have heard of the phrase “Student Right to Know” (SRTK). However, did you know (pun intended) – about an important SRTK component: Athletic Graduation Rates? Read that again – note the word Athletic. Some institutions gloss over this really important word,...
These are unusual times. Most campus leaders are consumed with decision-making and planning surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. The plans you may have had on your calendar are no longer there. And some people and departments are in limbo. Many of us are awaiting further instructions and...
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 a favorite holiday or event that occurs annually. Though it comes the same time every year, it always seems to sneak up. But every year, you'll tell yourself the same story. “Next year, I’ll start my shopping early.” And, just like the...
Sometimes it feels like reports detailing college and university data might as well be written in a foreign language. Lots of numbers, tons of bar graphs, size 5 font. Footnotes aplenty. And data questions galore. Reports are jam-packed with so much information that it's hard to identify key takeaways. And it’s often a challenge to even...
