May 2, 2024 Pre-Conference Meetings
8:15 am – 9:00 am Registration with Continental Breakfast
Thursday: We’re hosting a Best Dressed in College Spirit Competition. Show off your style, creativity, and confidence, and you could win an exciting prize!
You are encouraged to bring some of your school’s swag to share with the group
9:00 am - 10:00 am IPEDS Updates and Roundtable/Q&A
IPEDS Updates and Roundtable/Q&A
Presented by
Meredith Abrams Adam Lee
Maricopa County Community College District Maricopa County Community College District
Planning Research Director of Institutional Effectiveness Planning Research Analyst, Sr.
10:00 am – 10:15 am Break
10:15 am – 11:15 am Select 1 Session to Attend
Choose From:
Arizona’s 2024 Strategic Vision Refresh: A Chance to Collaborate on New Metrics
In this session Dr. Carrie Kisker will guide attendees through a series of conversations to identify potential new metrics and cohorts for the 2024 statewide Strategic Vision for Arizona community colleges.
Presented by Dr. Carrie Kisker
Dr. Carrie B. Kisker is president of Kisker Education Consulting in Los Angeles, California. For over a decade she has worked with AC4 and institutional researchers across the state to develop the statewide Strategic Vision report and create/update associated metrics.
Arizona Public 4-Year University Reporting: Reports & Resources
This session provides a detailed exploration of various reports from ASU, UA, and NAU- all openly accessible to the public. These reports
delve into key areas, including enrollment, financial aid, completions, and post-graduate outcomes, shedding light on institutional
priorities and trends
Presented by
Alecia Radatz
Arizona State University
Senior Director University Office of Institutional Analysis
11:15 am – 11:45 am Perkins Reporting Update
Perkins Reporting Update
Presented by
Samuel Irvin
Arizona Department of Education
CTE Director of Data & Accountability
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Unlocking Data Potential with Tableau: A Workshop on Dashboard Design and Strategic Integration
Unlocking Data Potential with Tableau: A Workshop on Dashboard Design and Strategic Integration
This session bridges practical tool-specific skills with holistic data solution strategies, emphasizing the importance of user experience (UX) research, dashboard wireframing, and analytics that support strategic decision-making.
Learn through case studies from expert Tableau developers:
• A UX-driven dashboard for retention data at ASU Graduate School.
• A strategic planning dashboard at Estrella Mountain Community College.
Participants will not only gain insights from these real-world applications but will also receive a customizable wireframing template. Whether you're looking to improve your data presentations or integrate actionable insights into your institution's strategic processes, this session will provide valuable skills and tools to enhance your work.
Presented by
Lori Lindenberg Samantha Carter John Snelling
Arizona State University Arizona State University Maricopa County Community College District - EMCC
Sr Director Data Strategy Business Intelligence Analyst Assoc. Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness
& Asset Orchestration
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm Break
2:30 pm - 3:30pm Power BI Workshop
Power BI Workshop
In today’s data-driven landscape, organizations seek actionable insights to drive informed decisions. Power BI, a robust business intelligence tool, transforms raw data into compelling visualizations. In this presentation, we delve into how Power BI empowers users to visualize data, automate insights, and learn from real-world examples. Join us on this journey of data enlightenment, where Power BI meets AI to unlock the full potential of your organization’s data.
Presented by
Trevor Hart
Eastern Arizona College
Data Analyst
3:30 pm - 5:00pm Select 1 Session to Attend
Choose From:
Immersive Helios Drum Experience
Presented by ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence
ASSIST Steering Committee (Closed Meeting)
Small Group Sponsor Demo
Presented by AzAIR Conference Sponsors
5:30 pm - 7:30pm AZAIR Welcome Event (Conference Registration Required)
Kick off the 2024 AZAIR conference on a high note with a Thursday evening event in a relaxed environment for connecting with fellow professionals.
May 3, 2024 Conference sessions
8:00 am – 8:50 am Registration with Breakfast
8:50 am – 9:00 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Teresa Bailey, President AZAIR
9:00 am – 9:50 am Keynote Speaker
Reetika Dhawan
Arizona Western College
CEO of Entrepreneurial College & VP of Workforce & Healthcare Programs
Reetika Dhawan is a dynamic leader in education, celebrated for her visionary leadership and transformative impact. With a rich academic background encompassing master's degree in physics and applied mathematics, Reetika's journey in education has been marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Currently pursuing her doctorate in Instructional Design, she continues to push the boundaries of educational practice and theory. As the Vice President of Workforce and Career Technical Education (CTE) at Arizona Western College, Reetika Dhawan has spearheaded initiatives that bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in today's rapidly evolving workforce. Her strategic vision and collaborative approach have led to the development of innovative programs that meet the needs of both students and employers. Beyond her role at Arizona Western College, Reetika has distinguished herself as a thought leader and influencer in education. She has served on numerous boards, leveraging her expertise to shape policy and drive positive change within the education sector. Her contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the prestigious Vice President Innovation Award, Teacher of the Year, and the Heart of Yuma Leadership Award. In addition to her professional achievements, Reetika Dhawan is a passionate advocate for education and social impact. She believes deeply in the power of education to transform lives and communities, and she is committed to making a difference in the world. As the CEO (Chief Executive Officers) of Entrepreneurial College, Reetika continues to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to education and her dedication to empowering others, Reetika Dhawan was honored with the prestigious Athena International Award in 2023. This award serves as a testament to her leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As she continues to chart new paths and push the boundaries of educational innovation, Reetika remains a beacon of inspiration for educators and leaders around the world.
9:50 am – 10:00 am Break
10:00 am – 11:00 am Select 1 Session to Attend
Choose From:
Data Strategies for Student Achievement: A Central Arizona College Story
Explore IR life in Pinal County during this Q&A session with Dustin Maroney, Executive Director of Institutional Research for Central Arizona College, and hear how the college uses targeted data analytics to improve support and outcomes for students. From identifying student cohorts to ensuring effective paths to completion, discover how the college created an environment that embraces data-driven decision making and is shaping more successful educational experiences for students.
This session will look at real-world applications of data analytics in higher education, offering practical steps and innovative approaches that you can apply to help your students thrive.
Attendees of this session will learn how to:
Utilize data analytics to accurately identify students who are at risk or require additional support, enhancing targeted intervention strategies.
Set up and maintain systems that track student progress, ensuring that all students are on course to meet their educational goals in a timely manner.
Build a culture that values and effectively uses data, which can lead to more informed decision-making and improved outcomes across the institution.
Presented by
Dustin Maroney Michael Taft
Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness Chief Executive Officer
Central Arizona College ZogoTech
Immersive Helios Drum Experience
Presented by ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Arizona Education and Workforce Visualization
Arizona Education and Workforce Visualization
Presented by ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm AZAIR Business Meeting with Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Ensuring Analytics Projects Lead to Action and Positive Outcomes
Ensuring Analytics Projects Lead to Action and Positive Outcomes
At Pima CC there are more data project requests than can be completed by the team and available resources. We will share how we prioritize, execute, and evaluate projects to achieve success. The approach requires only a few key principles and tools, but when followed consistently has resulted in positive outcomes for the college. We will use several real project examples to illustrate how we applied these principles and achieved outcomes, including tripling dual enrollment and increasing the percentage of students successfully completing coursework, as well as deferring projects due to poor alignment. Participants will leave with an understanding of our approach, and how you can incorporate its principles at your institution.
Presented by
John Van Weeren Özlem Ö. Kacira
Voyatek Pima Community College
Vice President, Higher Education Director of Institutional Analytics
Strategy, Analytics and Research (StAR)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Select 1 Session to Attend
Choose From:
The Analytics Agent and Ethical AI Engine
Exlore how Arizona State University is using the Ethical AI Engine to assess the ethical implications of models, products, and vendors associated with the university. Additionally, learn about the Analytics Agent, a proof of concept developed to boost the effectiveness of Business Intelligence staff through targeted analytical support. This presentation aims to share ASU's commitment to ethical AI practices, highlight the challenges encountered, and provide insights gained from ongoing AI projects.
Presented by
Paul Alvarado
Arizona State University
Immersive Helios Drum Experience
Presented by ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm Break
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm Data Enrichment: Empowering Enterprise Asset Development and Actionable Analytics
Data Enrichment: Empowering Enterprise Asset Development and Actionable Analytics
Data within educational institutions tend to be less-than-ideal for use beyond the generating system. Accessibility, accuracy, completeness, consistency, documentation, structure, and volume are all typical concerns for downstream developers and analysts. This presentation will cover what data enrichment is, why it is valuable, and how it is being leveraged at ASU in order to support a range of both traditional and advanced applications, as well as how it relates to similar initiatives in adjacent spaces.
Presented by
Josh Johnson
Arizona State University
AI Program Manager
3:45 pm – 4:45 pm Arizona Education Progress Meters and Postsecondary Education
Arizona Education Progress Meters and Postsecondary Education
Education Forward Arizona will review their Arizona education progress meters, share their polling results on how Arizona voters feel about postsecondary education in AZ, and discuss their research on the economic and social value of post-secondary enrollment, success, and attainment in our state.
Presented by Education Forward Arizona