From Data to Decisions: Leveraging Storytelling to Inspire Change in Higher Education

In this podcast, Ryan Smith, Director of University Assessment at Illinois State University, discusses how data storytelling transforms overwhelming data in higher education into actionable insights that inspire meaningful change. He addresses the challenge of institutions collecting vast amounts of data but lacking the capacity to utilize it effectively. Ryan advocates shifting from viewing data as purely objective to embracing the storyteller's role in crafting impactful narratives.

Main Themes:

• Data Overload vs. Utilization: Institutions are inundated with data they struggle to use effectively. Data storytelling offers a solution by turning complex datasets into clear, compelling narratives.
• The Role of the Storyteller: Acknowledging the storyteller's influence is esse ...