Author Archives: Michael

What an incredible finale to an amazing week at the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) Forum! I was deeply honored to share the stage with a powerhouse panel for the closing keynote:

Our session, “Navigating Tomorrow: Exploring the Implications of AI in Higher Education,” grappled with the profound ways artificial intelligence is reshaping our institutions. Each panelist brought a unique lens to the conversation:

Dr. Kofi Nyarko shared insights on working with faculty and staff to allay fears and showcase the potential of AI in teaching and research. His research on the equitable development and use of AI was particularly illuminating. 🎓🔬

Orkun Toros discussed the transformative applications of AI in budgeting and financial workflows, highlighting how it can empower staff to focus on higher-level strategic tasks. 💰🧮

As the Institutional Research perspective, I emphasized a crucial point: as we navigate the AI landscape, we as humans are not on the outskirts – we’re at the center. I referred to the AIR Statement of Ethical Principles, which underscores this idea. 🫵📜 

Throughout the conference, I heard the phrase “keeping a human in the loop.” But that implies a circle, with humans on the edge. Instead, I believe we should embrace AIR’s motto: “Working at the intersection of people and data.” The intersection – that’s where we belong. Not as an afterthought, but as the driving force, leveraging AI to amplify our impact. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑💻

Beyond our specific domains, we delved into critical ethical considerations, examining issues of bias, privacy, and equity. We explored the societal impacts, both the exciting potential for personalized learning and the challenging questions around workforce disruption. And we discussed how colleges and universities can proactively adapt, building the necessary skills, infrastructure, and policies. 🧠📚

Equally powerful was the engagement from the audience. The thoughtful questions, the shared experiences, the sense of both anticipation and apprehension – it’s clear this is a conversation that matters deeply to our entire community. 🗣️🤝

As I reflect on our panel and the conference as a whole, I’m struck by the spirit of collaboration and the commitment to leveraging technology in service of our students and missions. There’s much work ahead, but I’m energized by the collective wisdom and dedication of the IR community. 💡💪

Thank you, AIR Forum, for an unforgettable experience. And to all my fellow attendees, let’s keep the momentum going! Feel free to connect as we navigate this AI journey together, with humans firmly at the helm. 🚀🌟

hashtag#AIRForum2024 hashtag#HigherEd hashtag#InstitutionalResearch hashtag#AI hashtag#AIR hashtag#IR hashtag#EthicalAI hashtag#HumansAtTheCenter

What an amazing week at the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) Forum! I was privileged to present with the great and powerful, Dr. Jason Simon

Jason and I led a session on generative AI in Institutional Research. In our hands-on workshop, we explored key skills like prompt engineering and worked through practical IR use cases. But the real magic was in the community’s collective wisdom as we tackled bigger questions: How do we leverage AI to empower our teams? How do we navigate ethics and data privacy? How do we collaborate with key partners across campus?

As IR professionals, we must actively build our skills, pilot new approaches, and help shape the policies and practices that will guide its use. We have a vital role to play in ensuring these powerful tools are harnessed to better serve our students and institutions.

To everyone who joined us – thank you! And to the wider community – let’s keep this conversation going. Jason and I are excited to be on this journey with you. Reach out anytime as you explore AI at your own institutions. Together, we can lead the way.

#AI #IR #AIR #leadership #highereducation

1. Data Management and Analysis:

 – Providing comprehensive data management services, including data collection, cleaning, and analysis.

 – Conducting advanced statistical analyses to inform decision-making.

 – Assisting in the development and maintenance of data warehouses and databases.

2. Strategic Planning Support:

 – Facilitating the strategic planning process, including developing key performance indicators (KPIs).

 – Offering expert advice on aligning institutional goals with data-informed strategies.

 – Conducting environmental scans and SWOT analyses to inform strategic directions.

3. Accreditation and Compliance Support:

 – Assisting with accreditation processes, including preparation for reviews and ongoing compliance monitoring.

 – Helping institutions navigate and fulfill state and federal reporting requirements.

 – Offering guidance on maintaining accreditation standards and best practices.

4. Program and Curriculum Evaluation:

 – Evaluating academic programs and curricula for effectiveness and alignment with institutional goals.

 – Conducting program reviews and providing recommendations for improvement.

 – Assessing student learning outcomes and program impact.

5. Survey Design and Analysis:

 – Developing and administering institutional surveys (e.g., student satisfaction, alumni engagement).

 – Analyzing survey data and providing actionable insights.

 – Offering expertise in survey methodology and best practices.

6. Benchmarking and Comparative Analysis:

 – Conducting benchmarking studies to compare institutional performance with peers.

 – Providing insights on best practices and trends in higher education.

 – Assisting in setting realistic and competitive institutional benchmarks.

7. Institutional Reporting and Dashboard Development:

 – Creating dynamic reports and dashboards for easy access to key institutional metrics.

 – Offering training and support in data visualization and interpretation.

 – Developing custom reporting solutions to meet specific institutional needs.

8. Policy Analysis and Development:

 – Analyzing existing policies for effectiveness and alignment with institutional objectives.

 – Assisting in the development and implementation of new policies.

 – Providing expert advice on policy implications and best practices.

9. Staff Training and Development:

 – Offering professional development and training in areas of institutional research and effectiveness.

 – Conducting workshops and seminars on data literacy, data analysis techniques, and IR/IE best practices.

 – Providing training on the use of specific software and analytical tools.

10. External Grant Support:

 – Assisting with the development of assessment plans for external grant proposals.

 – Evaluating the effectiveness of funded programs and initiatives.

 – Providing data and analysis to support grant reporting requirements.

11. Consultation and Advisory Services:

 – Offering on-demand consultation services for specific IR/IE needs.

 – Acting as an external advisor for institutional research projects and initiatives.

 – Providing interim leadership or support for institutional research offices.

I recently participated in the AIR LEADs course, which was both a refresher and a learning experience for me. 🚀 Covering topics like political savviness, effective communication, vision & strategy, and more, it reinforced key skills in a meaningful way. #HigherEdLeadership #DataInformedDecisionMaking

I’m really looking forward to our upcoming webinar on “Navigating Machine Learning and Generative AI: A Practical Approach for IR/IE Professionals” which I’ll be co-hosting with my colleague, Jason Simon, Ph.D. This is such an important and fascinating topic that stands to transform the work of information retrieval and information extraction professionals. Join us next week for a webinar that promises to be both informative and transformative.

Webinar Highlights:

💡Insightful Overviews: Grasp the essence of AI, ML, and NLP technologies and their groundbreaking applications in our field.

💡Real-World Applications: Discover how these technologies are revolutionizing institutional research and effectiveness through practical examples.

💡Strategic Integration: Learn the best practices for seamlessly integrating AI, ML, and NLP into your workflows, enhancing both efficiency and decision-making processes.

💡Ethical Frameworks: Delve into the ethical considerations crucial for responsible adoption, ensuring our advancements align with the aspirational goals of AIR.

Your Takeaways:

Prepare to leave this session with a solid foundation in AI, ML, and NLP, equipped with the knowledge to navigate the benefits and challenges of these technologies in institutional research. More importantly, you’ll gain insights into ethical adoption practices that respect and protect our students and institutions.

🔗 Reserve Your Spot Now: https://lnkd.in/g2dWVNCv

#AI #MachineLearning #NaturalLanguageProcessing #HigherEducation #InstitutionalResearch #EducationalEffectiveness #Webinar #DataInformedDecisions

Thrilled to announce my contribution to a special volume on AI and analytics in higher education. My article, “Reflections on the Artificial Intelligence Transformation,” explores the ethical and responsible use of AI in higher education and its impact on institutional research and effectiveness.

Key Highlights:

– The journey towards AI integration in higher education.

– Emphasizing ethics and accountability in data analytics.

– The evolving role of IR/IE professionals in this new era.

Proud to be part of this critical dialogue. Looking forward to your thoughts and insights!

#AIinEducation #EthicsInAI #HigherEdAnalytics #InstitutionalResearch

READ HERE:

https://lnkd.in/e3PepvvM

I’m reflecting with gratitude on the publication of my chapter, ‘Seeing the Unseen: An Action Research Study of First-Generation College Student Persistence,’ in ‘Taking Action: Creating Sustainable Change in Student Affairs.’ 📚

It’s been an incredible experience to collaborate with a group of distinguished professionals, each bringing their unique expertise to this project. Big thanks to my fellow contributors: Jen Bevins 🌟, Emily Bauer, EdD 📘, Joe Castelot, Ed.D. 🚀, Chunfu Jeff Cheng, Ed.D. 🧩, Christopher A. Collins, Ed.D. 📈, Kathy Dilks, Ed.D. 🌱, Lars Farabee 🔍, Brandon Gross, Ed.D. 💡, Nicole Johnson 🎓, Lindsey Plewa, EdD 💼, and Thomas Tressler-Gelok, Ed.D. 🖊️ for enriching this book with their diverse and insightful chapters.

My chapter delves into the experiences of first-generation college students, a subject I’m passionate about. A heartfelt thanks 🙏 to our editors, Sara Ewell, Joan Giblin, PhD, and Joe McNabb, for their support and guidance in this endeavor.

I’m proud to have contributed to this important work alongside my peers, and I’m excited to see the impact it will have in the higher education community. Here’s to a meaningful achievement in our shared academic journey! 🎉 #firstgen #highered #actionresearch #bucketlist

BOOK INFO HERE: https://lnkd.in/e_JkqMBD

Thank you, Midwest ACE! 🌟

It was a privilege to present “AI and the Art of Career Services: A Balanced Approach” at the MWACE 2023 Annual Conference. Discussing AI’s role in career services highlighted the importance of blending technology with human insight. 🤖💼.

Special thanks to President Katie Kennealy, the organizers, and the dynamic audience for creating an atmosphere ripe for learning and exchange. Your insightful questions and discussions enriched our exploration of AI’s role in career development. 🗣️🎓

This conference reaffirmed my belief in the collaborative spirit of our professional community. I am inspired by the dedication to innovation and excellence displayed by everyone involved. 💡👥

I look forward to continuing these important conversations and seeing how we can all contribute to the evolving landscape of career services in the age of AI! 🚀🌐

#MWACE2023 #KeynoteReflections #CareerServices #ArtificialIntelligence #ProfessionalGrowth #Thankful

So this is blowing my mind. I had scanned this image from my Master’s work some time ago and stored it in Evernote. I then uploaded it directly to ChatGPT, without any introduction, and received the following response.

Below is what I got