The Southeast Association of Institutional Research (SAIR) conference was held in Greenville, SC from September 29 – October 1, 2019. The SAIR Conference is an excellent forum for the dissemination of information and interchange of ideas on problems of common interest in the field of institutional research. The theme of the conference was “Tools for Transformation,” and, naturally, data analytics was a hot topic.
I was recently able to spend three days in Louisville, KY at the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) annual conference, talking to people about enrollment management practices. A major theme of the conference this year was data, and how to use data to improve the efficiency of admissions, recruitment, and enrollment operations. Institutions are looking to improve the matching between students and schools, more effectively communicate with their prospects, and ensure that they enroll a class of a size and academic preparedness consistent with their institutional missions.
The emphasis on data was reflected in the Exhibit Hall by the large number of data and technology vendors present. A number of attendees commented that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of data technology products in the enrollment management space. These include products designed to identify prospects, improve messaging, analyze enrollment trends, and enhance each element of the admissions process. HelioCampus fills a unique niche within this emerging data-focused ecosystem, with a solution that provides strategic analyses that connect admissions and enrollment strategy to student success, academic programming, budget forecasting, and other mission-critical strategic priorities.
One presentation that was particularly interesting, and that received a very enthusiastic reception from the attendees, was by David Burge, Vice President for Enrollment Management at George Mason University (GMU) and past president of NACAC. He talked about GMU's initiatives to use data more strategically and their partnership with HelioCampus to enable that strategy. Additionally, his presentation included a lively and thoughtful discussion on the ethical use of data analytics.
Overall, I found the conference extremely interesting and informative, and look forward to keeping in touch with new contacts and attending the annual conference next year in Minneapolis.
Our latest eBook explores the topic of IT Trends in higher education. In the decades since online classrooms and digital databases first arrived on the scene, education and technology have become increasingly interdependent. From data-driven insights about student success to entire shifts in business models, technology has disrupted the industry of higher education and seems to have no intention of stopping. Read on to learn five significant ways that technology and education are intersecting today, in ways that will effect change in the higher-ed industry in the years to come.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the HEDW Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The conference was a real testament to how Colleges and Universities are viewing and using data to make more informed decisions. Whether it be for enrollment, retention, student success or advancement, they understand how to best harness the power of data for institutional improvement.
Our latest eBook explores the topic of Institutional Planning for higher education. A lot is riding on universities’ performance metrics: enrollment and recruitment numbers, student outcomes and livelihoods, and funding. In fact, more than 30 state governments in the U.S. have policies or formulas that allocate funds to public institutions based on student performance factors 1. Universities with the ability to improve performance with comprehensive and data-driven institutional planning stand to fare better than their peers.
Institutions of higher learning continue to move rapidly toward data-informed decision making, and this movement was strongly reflected at the 45th annual North East Association for Institutional Research conference. The City of Bridges played host to almost 400 representatives from over 200 institutions and associations to better understand methods and best practices for Creating the Bridge to Data-Informed Decision Making.
Another great EDUCAUSE conference is in the books! Last week, our team had the opportunity to attend this important conference to connect with clients & friends, and moderate a panel of education leaders.
I recently had the pleasure of attending the EACUBO Annual Meeting in Buffalo, New York. The conference brought together College and University business officers from throughout the Northeast with the goal of sharing new ideas regarding how institutions can meet the financial challenges of a quickly changing higher education landscape. Among the topics included were succession planning, sustainability, and risk mitigation. A common underlying theme was how to use metrics and data analytics to support institutional efforts to make better decisions.
Last week I had the privilege of attending the 2018 UNC Cause annual conference, which was held in Greenville, NC on October 1-3. UNC CAUSE was formed in 1970 by the computing centers of all 16 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Its purpose? To promote cooperation and information exchange between the campuses of the UNC System in all areas related to information technology.
Last week, we had the opportunity to attend the 74th annual NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) 2018 Conference in beautiful Salt Lake City, UT. The focus of the conference was connecting professionals who are tasked with creating the appropriate bridge for students to enroll in the right academic program for them, whether that is coming from high school, an adult who is embarking on their first time in college, or a returning adult. A lot of the talk around the conference floor was around how colleges can attract and retain the right students for them, the changing student demographic, and associated expectations of today’s students (and their parents.) The growing importance of the role of transfer students and the value of a college degree were also top of mind for most institutions.
