
Fusion Platform Series (Part 2): The Power of the Higher Education Data Lake
In Part 1 of our Fusion Platform series, we discussed Data Flows—the critical pipelines that automate the extraction of data from your Student Information System
Podcast Coming Soon!
The first episode launches on this page & all major streaming services on January 14th. Check back here for updates & the latest episodes.
Join host Debbie Phelps for Data Stakes – Giving Data a Voice in Higher Education, a podcast dedicated to empowering institutional researchers and higher education leaders. Sponsored by the Data Analytics Alliance for Higher Education (DAAHE), this series serves as a catalyst for those navigating the complex landscape of campus data. We bring the community together to explore how analytics can be harnessed to solve real-world issues, moving beyond simple reporting to drive informed decision-making and strategic growth across institutions.
In each episode, we dive deep into the pressing topics that shape the modern campus, from the intricacies of mandatory reporting to the strategies that support student outcomes. You will hear directly from the people in the roles—peers in institutional research and effectiveness—sharing their personal journeys, hard-won success stories, and the critical lessons they have learned along the way. Whether you are looking to improve your data storytelling or streamline your operations, Data Stakes offers the actionable insights you need.
What we discuss:
Institutional Intelligence: Navigating the nuances of IPEDS data and regulatory compliance.
Student Centricity: Defining and tracking the student success metrics that actually move the needle on retention.
Real Stories: Candid conversations with university professionals about their biggest wins and toughest challenges.
Strategic Insights: Lessons learned on building a data-informed culture within higher education.
Debbie Phelps is a higher education data expert now with Datatelligent, bringing over a decade of experience in institutional effectiveness, accreditation, and strategic planning. An active leader in the field, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) and is a past recipient of the Kansas Board of Regents Data Quality Award.
Evan Witmer is a seasoned media creator with a diverse background in vlogging and audio production. He currently serves as the producer for the Cloud Native Testing Podcast, bringing his technical expertise and storytelling experience to the Data Stakes team.
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In Part 1 of our Fusion Platform series, we discussed Data Flows—the critical pipelines that automate the extraction of data from your Student Information System