Enrollment Archives - Datatelligent

INTRODUCTION

I’ve been in my current position at Datatelligent for a little over a year as a business development representative and have talked to many different leaders in higher education. My job is to hear the data challenges that individuals might be facing and discover strategies and solutions for institutions to turn these challenges into strengths. I’ve sat in hours of meetings, webinars, and speeches. Also, I have listened to Directors of Institutional Research, Directors of Institutional Effectiveness, and CIOs spill their challenges to me and strategize what steps they need to take to put a plan in place to improve their data maturity. From my discoveries, I’ll provide the top three data challenges currently in Higher Education for 2024. Also, I want to give some tips on how to avoid these challenges based on what I’ve learned.

DATA SILOS

For one thing, if you’re currently involved in higher education or have been in the past, I’m sure you experienced data silos or have heard from fellow peers the headache it can cause daily. Here are some of the headaches:

Fragmented Decision-making: Data silos hinder collaboration and lead to fragmented decision-making within institutions.
Inefficient Reporting: Siloed data is crucial for generating accurate reports, but it is time-consuming and error-prone.
Personalization Obstacles: Integrated data is crucial for personalized student experiences, but silos prevent the practical tailoring of services.
Strategic Implications: Addressing data silos requires breaking down barriers, investing in infrastructure, and fostering a data-driven culture.

In 2024, we want our day-to-day operation to go smoothly and get all the data we need at our fingertips. Data silos have been throwing a wrench in this for a long time and are a top three challenge, I hear.

DATA SECURITY AND PRIVACY

Equally as crucial as siloed data, data security and privacy are critical aspects of higher education. As institutions collect and manage vast amounts of student and organizational data, safeguarding this information becomes paramount. Cyber threats can put a lot of stress on schools in order to protect information from being stolen. Data security involves safeguarding institutional assets through access controls, encryption, firewalls, and regular audits. On the other hand, data privacy ensures confidentiality and compliance with regulations like GDPR and FERPA. Transparency and ethical handling are key—like sealing letters in envelopes and treating data responsibly. Together, data security and privacy create a well-guarded digital library, allowing students, faculty, and staff to learn and collaborate without fear.

TURNING DATA INTO ACTION

Lastly, you collect all the data you need, but using it effectively is another challenge. Many schools fail to transform the data into meaningful actions that drive positive outcomes. It requires defining clear objectives, selecting the right analytic tools, and translating insights into actionable steps. Balancing ethical considerations and fostering a data-driven culture are essential for success. Turning data into action is mentioned when talking to many individuals in higher education who don’t know the correct steps to take.

HOW CAN I AVOID THESE?

As I’ve mentioned, I have listened to countless meetings and read about many possible solutions for these challenges. Some things I recommend for becoming a more data-informed institution are:

Consolidate Data: Bring together data from disparate tools and datasets into a central data warehouse with good reporting tools. We at Datatelligent can help with this and recommend using a cloud-based data warehouse called Snowflake. Snowflake has great elastic scalability, robust security features, and seamless integration with popular BI tools and data services. This allows institutions to gain a more holistic view of learning processes and support mechanisms. How universities can break down data silos and generate new insights | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect (timeshighereducation.com)
Advanced Reporting Tools: Advanced reporting tools like Tableau and Power BI can be beneficial for summarizing, visualizing, and comparing data. These tools provide better insights than standard tabular reports. At Datatelligent, we can help with this by having our own Datatelligent Platform for Higher Education that can consolidate data and provide data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI.
Privacy Offices: Establish privacy offices and full-time privacy positions within institutions. Develop and improve privacy and practices.
Compliance Management: Manage Compliance across campus operations by understanding and adhering to privacy legislation and regulations.
Data-Driven Thinking: Leverage data analytics by encouraging data-driven thinking. Areas where data analytics can be beneficial include personalized learning experiences, academic analytics, and critical care assessments. Towards Evidence-Based, Data-Driven Thinking in Higher Education | SpringerLink
Optimize Data Strategy: Focus on data governance, create data leadership, establish actionable data strategies, utilize a cloud data platform to centralize data, create an analytics team, and implement data visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau.

CITATIONS:

Burns, Sean. “The Evolving Landscape of Data Privacy in Higher Education.” Educause, November 19, 2020. https://www.educause.edu/ecar/research-publications/the-evolving-landscape-of-data-privacy-in-higher-education/introduction
Komljenovic, Janja. “The future of value in digitalized higher education: why data privacy should not be our biggest concern.” Springer Link, November 19, 2020. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10734-020-00639-7
Gibson, David. “Big Data in Higher Education: Research Methods and Analytics Supporting the Learning Journey.” Springer Link, July 5, 2017. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10758-017-9331-2
Florea, Diana and Florea, Silvia. “Big Data and the Ethical Implications of Data Privacy in Higher Education Research.” MDPI, October 21, 2020. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/20/8744
Times Higher Eduation. “Five actions for data-led transformation in Higher Education.” https://www.timeshighereducation.com/hub/p/five-actions-data-led-transformation-higher-education
Masterson, Douglas, PhD, Davis, Christopher M., PhD, and Carbonaro, Suzanne, MEd. “Transforming Data into Meaningful Information.” The Society for College and University Planning, Jan-Mar 2023. https://www.scup.org/resource/journal-transforming-data-into-meaningful-information/

Understanding Trends in Undergraduate Degree Attainment

UNDERSTANDING TRENDS IN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE ATTAINMENT

INTRODUCTION

The pursuit of higher education is a critical milestone for countless individuals around the world. Whether it’s an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a specialized certificate, earning an undergraduate credential opens doors to career opportunities, personal growth, and societal impact. In this blog post, we delve into the latest findings from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s report on undergraduate degree earners for the academic year 2022-23.

OVERALL DECLINE IN DEGREE EARNERS

The report reveals a concerning trend: the number of undergraduate degree earners has declined for the second consecutive year. In the 2022-23 academic year, there was a 2.8% decrease, resulting in 99,200 fewer graduates compared to the previous year. This decline raises questions about the factors contributing to this downturn.

FIRST-TIME COMPLETERS

First-time completers, who represent 73.3% of all graduates, experienced a decline of 73,600 individuals. These are students who successfully complete their degree requirements for the first time. The 2.8% decrease in this group reflects broader challenges in higher education. As institutions adapt to changing demographics, economic shifts, and technological advancements, understanding the needs of first-time completers becomes crucial.

CERTIFICATES: A SURPRISING RISE

While overall degree attainment declined, there’s a silver lining: the number of students earning certificates reached a ten-year high. Certificates, often shorter and more focused than traditional degrees, provide specialized skills and knowledge. The report attributes this increase to a 6.2% rise in first-time award earners. Whether in fields like healthcare, information technology, or skilled trades, certificates offer a pathway to employment and career advancement.

ASSOCIATE AND BACHELOR’S DEGREES

Despite the surge in certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees remain foundational. These degrees continue to be valued by employers and serve as stepping stones for further education. However, institutions must address challenges such as affordability, access, and student support to reverse the decline in degree earners.

STRATEGIES TO REVERSE THE DECLINE

To combat this trend, educational leaders and policymakers can consider the following strategies:

Strengthening Student Support and Flexibility:
- Support systems: Enhance academic advising, tutoring, and mental health services, and establish mentorship programs to support students throughout their educational and career journeys.
- Flexible learning options: Expand online and hybrid courses, and offer more classes during evenings and weekends to accommodate non-traditional students and those with additional responsibilities.
Improving Educational Pathways and College Readiness:
- Short-term and stackable credentials: Develop certificate programs aligned with industry needs and offer credentials that can be built upon towards a degree.
- College readiness initiatives: Collaborate with high schools to ensure students are prepared for college and offer bridge programs to ease the transition to higher education.
Enhancing Financial Accessibility:
- Increase scholarship and grant awareness: Promote the availability of scholarships and grants to help reduce financial barriers for prospective students.
Adopting Data-Informed Strategies and Promoting Lifelong Learning:
- Data-driven approaches: Use analytics to identify at-risk students early and tailor programs to meet diverse needs.
- Lifelong learning culture: Encourage continuous education for adult learners and partner with businesses to support education benefits and career advancement.

CONCLUSION

The decline in undergraduate degree earners is a multifaceted issue that requires a collaborative and strategic response. By enhancing financial aid, strengthening support systems, and promoting flexible learning options, we can create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. Additionally, by fostering a culture of lifelong learning and utilizing data-driven approaches, we can ensure that higher education remains relevant and accessible to all. As we work towards these goals, we can reverse the current trend and pave the way for a brighter future in higher education.

CITATIONS:

National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. “Undergraduate Degree Earners Report: Academic Year 2022-23.” April 11, 2024. “https://nscresearchcenter.org/undergraduate-degree-earners/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20undergraduate%20degree,by%2073%2C600%20(%2D2.8%25).
Weissman, Sara. “Degrees Earned Fall Again, Certificates Rise.” Inside Higher Ed, April 11. 2024. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/academics/2024/04/11/degrees-earned-fall-again-certificates-rise
Katharine Meyer “The case for college: Promising solutions to reverse college enrollment declines.” Brookings Institution, June 5, 2023. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-case-for-college-promising-solutions-to-reverse-college-enrollment-declines/

Top Data Challenges in Higher Education

INTRODUCTION

DATA SECURITY AND PRIVACY

TURNING DATA INTO ACTION

HOW CAN I AVOID THESE?

CITATIONS:

UNDERSTANDING TRENDS IN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE ATTAINMENT

INTRODUCTION

FIRST-TIME COMPLETERS

CERTIFICATES: A SURPRISING RISE

ASSOCIATE AND BACHELOR’S DEGREES

STRATEGIES TO REVERSE THE DECLINE

CONCLUSION

CITATIONS:

Educause Annual Conference 2024