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

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.
Note – education is broad term; some of our examples will show education of stakeholders around data and information; some will show specific, intentional training or coaching of an individual or group.

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
Tool for students and families
UT System Institution campus visits
SAC & campus ‘Student Champions’
Ads & HS Counselor materials
Variety of conference presentations

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

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
Centralized IR
Formal Training
Informal Training
More structured environment – new campus so IR was centralized
At UCM it was about educating the campus about IR and what it can do
Offered formal training options
Right place, right time for informal (meant lots of places lots of time) – including biking back to campus for meetings once we were moved off

13. IR Training, Coaching, and Educating Examples
Formal
Student Affairs – New Student Survey
Individual unit specialized presentations
Informal
IR representation - volunteer
Real-time educating on data and analytics
Formal training and coaching: Advertise self/team as coach/trainer
Reached out to Student Affairs to present survey data at their annual retreat
Led to individual units requesting specialized presentations and training: dining, housing (RAs), student HEROES (health educators)
Informal training and coaching: presence on committees and working groups
Said yes to represent IR on many groups
Offers opportunity for real-time coaching and training; educating on data and analytic approaches as groups are discussing them

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
Focus of IR at DU for the past few years has been intentionality (and we have some mountains to climb!)

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
DU – decentralized IR to some extent; unstructured environment (it was about developing relationships)
Explain IMAC
Training aspect (software training; access training – IPEDS)
Train the trainer – how can data and info specialists go back to units and train
Data systems (like dashboards/online factbooks) demand training for users
Moving to model of IT training on software in partnership with IR training on data and information (example of cognos training – no idea what data point you need, but here’s how to access it)
Personal coaching for leadership on new systems
Pause and acknowledge intentional work – we are building a culture of measurement together. (Concept carried over to inclusivity and sustainability)

16. Discussion Questions for discussion:
What are ways you are incorporating training, coaching, and education in your setting?
What skills and training are needed for IR professionals to accomplish this duty/function?

17. Contact Us Gina Johnson
Strategy Director for IR Capacity Initiatives, AIR
Kara Larkan-Skinner
AVP, Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation, OLLU
Jessica Shedd
Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives, UT System