From Data-Deprived to Dashboard Oasis (DIY on a Budget)

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 10:10AM–10:55AM ET
Session Type: Breakout Session
Delivery Format: Live Session
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a regional, nonresidential university with large FTIAC and transfer cohorts and critical goals of attracting and retaining students. In years past, deans described our campus as being “data-deprived.” Requests for data resulted in custom emailed spreadsheets that often didn’t “foot” to other spreadsheets or Access databases. Through collaboration between Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Information Technology Services, Enrollment Management, and Academic Affairs, UM-Dearborn upgraded our data and reporting environment from ad-hoc spreadsheets into comprehensive longitudinal dashboards. Without hiring additional staff or investing resources into data lakes or data warehouses, our institution eliminated laborious manual processes by modifying IR job descriptions and re-skilling IR staff; developing a virtual report development team between IR and ITS; automating existing scripts used to develop counts for IPEDS surveys and ad hoc reporting; developing shared dashboards for analysis of data related to admissions, enrollment, and student success; and creating a well-documented single source of data analytics that is shared campus-wide.

Presenters

  • Rick Michalski

    Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, University of Michigan-Dearborn

  • Carrie Shumaker

    Vice Chancellor for IT and Chief Strategy Officer, University of Michigan-Dearborn

  • Melissa Stone

    Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, University of Michigan-Dearborn