Data Stakes – Giving Data a Voice in Higher Education

Data Stakes – Giving Data a Voice in Higher Education

by Debbie Phelps
EducationTechnology
Season 1
Beyond the Technical: Why Campus Culture is the Key to Data Success
In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie sits down with Dr. Jason Simon, co-founder of SCL Impact LLC, to explore the missing ingredient in higher education analytics: campus culture. While institutions often pour massive resources into technical tools and data warehouses, Dr. Simon argues that "adaptive challenges"—the human elements, relationships, and institutional norms—are what actually dictate success or failure. Tune in as they discuss why data professionals need to step out of their silos, the importance of asking "why" before pulling data, and actionable strategies for building robust data literacy across campus. Whether you are an IR professional looking to expand your influence or a campus leader aiming to make data a non-negotiable in decision-making, this conversation offers a powerful roadmap for moving data ownership from "me to we."
S1 · E13
Aug 5, 2026
38:40
From "Me" to "We": Finding Your Place in Metrics Strategies with Lee Howell
In this episode of Data Stakes, Debbie is joined by Lee Howell, Senior Director of Administrative Operations and Logistics at Florida State University, to discuss a transformative framework for institutional research: Metric Strategies. Lee breaks down how higher education institutions can shift their mindset by empowering staff across all departments to "find their place" in the data ecosystem. They explore how to move data ownership from a siloed "me" to a collaborative "we," the importance of challenging inherited legacy processes, and how artificial intelligence is quickly becoming an essential part of the metric strategies toolkit. Key Takeaways: The Grassroots Approach: Why shifting data culture must happen across the entire institution, not just inside the IR office. The 5 Core Questions: Essential questions to ask about your metrics, including "who defines the rules?" and "what can people actually influence?" The 4 Roles of Data Work: How the Visionary, Analyst, Tactician, and Communicator collaborate to create a shared data narrative. Proving Value: How to connect daily, boots-on-the-ground tasks to the broader value and community impact of higher education. (Note: Listeners can find the slide deck from Lee’s 2026 AIR Forum presentation linked in the show notes below!)
S1 · E12
Jul 22, 2026
30:52
Progress Over Perfection: Adaptive Data Governance with Dr. Tara Webb
Data governance doesn't have to be intimidating. All too often, the topic induces sighs and eye-rolls across higher education campuses. But what if data governance was viewed not as a set of restrictive rules, but as a framework to empower your colleagues and maximize institutional value? In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie sits down with Dr. Tara Webb, Associate Vice President and Chief Data Officer at Rhodes College, to demystify the complexities of data governance. Drawing from her highly acclaimed presentation at the 2025 AIR Forum, Dr. Webb shares her "Adaptive Data Governance" framework—an iterative, just-in-time approach that prioritizes progress over perfection. Whether you are trying to convince skeptical colleagues to buy into a new process or are looking for ways to build a single "source of truth" on your campus, this episode is packed with practical, actionable advice for professionals at any stage of their data maturity journey. Key Takeaways in this Episode: A Practical Definition: How to frame data governance around people, knowledge, and processes to maximize strategic value and minimize institutional risk. The Iterative Approach: Why trying to build a "perfect" governance model upfront usually fails, and how to start small to score meaningful, visible wins within your first year. Empowering Data Stewards: Strategies to engage busy colleagues without overwhelming them with "homework" (including Dr. Webb’s bi-weekly working session model). Measuring Success: How to assess the effectiveness of your data strategy by looking at both operational workflows and cultural shifts. Recommended Resources: A look into the tools that can guide your journey, including the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK) and the AIR Change with Analytics playbook. Resources & Links Mentioned: Explore the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) resources, including the Leading Change with Analytics workshop series and playbook at AIRweb.org. Want to be the next guest on Data Stakes? Reach out to Debbie at dfelps@datateligent.ai to share what you’re working on!
S1 · E11
Jun 3, 2026
24:40
"Dating" Your Data Vendor: Building Lasting Tech Partnerships in Higher Ed
Is your institution’s latest data technology rollout feeling more like a failing relationship than a lasting partnership? You aren't alone. In this episode of Data Stakes, Debbie sits down with John Ingram—Assistant Director of Institutional Research at Delaware Valley University and chapter author of the upcoming book, Priority Partners: Turning Vendor Spending into Mission Strengths. John and Debbie dive deep into the often-overlooked "Effectiveness Equation" of vendor management in higher education. Using a highly relatable dating analogy, they explore why technical success doesn't always equal operational success. Together, they unpack how institutions can show up as better partners by defining success early, prioritizing data governance, and understanding that lasting alignment—not just flashy tools—is the true foundation of a multi-year tech marriage. Whether your campus is vetting a new data system or actively trying to rescue an off-track implementation, this episode provides actionable advice and a practical framework to ensure both you and your vendor are driving toward the same goals. Key Takeaways in this Episode: The Effectiveness Equation: Why outcomes are driven by shared understanding and alignment, not just software. Dating Your Vendor: How to navigate the transition from the "first date" demo phase to a committed, long-term tech marriage. Defining Success Early: Why institutions must establish clear ownership and expected outcomes before signing a contract. The Effectiveness Canvas: A practical tool to evaluate your vendor relationship across roles, data, communication, and hidden work.
S1 · E10
May 20, 2026
26:56
Beyond Compliance: Building a Data-Driven Accreditation Culture with Dr. Ken Matthews
In this episode of Data Stakes, Debbie is joined by Dr. Ken Matthews, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, to discuss how higher education institutions can transform accreditation from a simple compliance checklist into a powerful engine for institutional growth. They dive into the intersection of knowledge management, strategic planning, and the evolving challenges facing higher ed today. Key topics covered in this episode: Rethinking Accreditation: Why viewing accreditation as an opportunity for deep self-reflection helps institutions better align with their core mission and promises to students. The Human Element of Data: The critical need for Institutional Research (IR) and Institutional Effectiveness (IE) professionals to build campus relationships, establish trust, and look past the numbers to understand the full context of their data. Agile Enrollment Strategies: Why traditional statistical modeling is giving way to scenario planning to help institutions navigate unpredictable variables, such as rapid surges in dual enrollment. Aligning Campus-Wide Goals: How adopting a framework of "Wildly Important Goals" (WIGs) can successfully integrate disconnected campus plans (IT, facilities, academic) and get the entire institution rowing in the same direction toward student retention. The AI Frontier: A candid look at the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in education, the ongoing concerns regarding academic integrity, and how institutions must adapt their learning assessments to keep pace.
S1 · E9
May 6, 2026
36:44
Escaping "Neutral" Data: How to Embed Futures Thinking into Institutional Strategy
Episode Summary Higher education is evolving at a faster rate than anyone could have anticipated. How can institutions move past simply reacting to change and start actively anticipating it? In this episode of Data Stakes, Debbie sits down with Dr. Viviana Unda, Head of Institutional Research and Planning at El Camino College, to explore the transformative power of "Futures Thinking" in higher education. Drawing on her recent coursework from the University of Cambridge, Dr. Unda breaks down the crucial differences between standard forecasting and strategic foresight. Together, they discuss how to build campus buy-in for future-focused initiatives, why data visualizations are never truly "neutral," and how applying frameworks like the Futures Triangle can revolutionize how institutional research teams tell data stories. Dr. Unda also shares exclusive insights from her upcoming chapter in Priority Partners, offering practical advice on building stronger, outcome-aware relationships with third-party vendors. Key Takeaways & Episode Highlights [00:00] Introduction: What is Futures Readiness and why does it matter right now? [03:28] Strategies for building campus buy-in and utilizing early adopters for new governance initiatives. [06:59] Breaking down the principles of futures thinking: Strategic foresight vs. forecasting, systems thinking, and confronting cognitive biases. [17:00] The Futures Triangle: Applying the "push of the present, pull of the future, and weight of history" to data visualization. [18:44] Why data visuals are never neutral and what the future of "embodied data" experiences might look like. [22:54] A curated list of books, toolkits, and podcasts to help you and your team develop strategic foresight. [31:35] Priority Partners: How to use data and evidence to establish better, mission-driven relationships with vendors. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Organizations & Toolkits: Institute for the Future, ASAE ForesightWorks (50 Drivers of Change), UK Office of Science Futures Toolkit. Reports: EDUCAUSE Horizon Report (Data and Analytics Edition), OECD Trends Shaping Education. Books: Imaginable by Jane McGonigal, Four Steps to the Future by Richard Lum, Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick. Events: The Future Summit (California Community Colleges). Podcasts: The Think Forward Show, The New Abnormal. About the Sponsor Data Stakes is sponsored by the Data Analytics Alliance for Higher Education. Visit our website to learn more about our upcoming quarterly meeting featuring Dr. Brent Drake from the John Gardner Institute, where we'll be discussing the impact of AI on data analytics. Have questions about today's conversation? Reach out to Dave Phelps at Datatelligent.
S1 · E8
Apr 22, 2026
37:50
Connecting the Dots: How Ozarks Tech Links Data, Budgets, and Strategy
In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie Phelps explores how to transform high-level institutional strategy into tangible daily practice. She is joined by Dr. Callie Holden (College Director of Strategic Planning and Grant Development) and Misty Tollett (Director of Strategic Planning) from Ozarks Tech, a two-year technical community college in Springfield, Missouri. Callie and Misty share the journey of building Ozarks Tech's integrated planning model—a streamlined approach that brings student learning assessment, departmental planning, program review, and budget requests into one cohesive, user-friendly cycle. They discuss the importance of democratizing campus data, proving that you don't need complex dashboards to tell a compelling story, and explain how the planning team partners seamlessly with Institutional Research to drive data-informed decisions. To wrap up, the guests highlight the invaluable professional development and networking opportunities available through MidAIR (the Midwestern Association for Institutional Research) for higher education data professionals. In this episode, we cover: The Integrated Planning Model: How to consolidate conflicting timelines into a single, complementary 3-year cycle. Data for the Masses: Moving away from complicated charts to accessible, 10th-grade reading level data points that help every department see their story. Budgeting with Purpose: Why every budget request must directly tie back to a departmental or institutional strategic goal. IR & Strategy Collaboration: How planning departments and Institutional Research (IR) can split the data puzzle to better serve the campus. MidAIR: Upcoming virtual and in-person conferences, resources, and community support for IR professionals in the Midwest.
S1 · E7
Apr 8, 2026
35:32
Context is the Real Intelligence: Why AI and Humans Both Depend on It
Back by popular demand! After the massive success of our first AI-focused episode, the Data Stakes podcast is returning to the world of Artificial Intelligence—but this time, we’re peeling back the curtain on what actually makes these systems work. In this special roundtable episode, host Debbie sits down with three key members of the Datatelligent (DT) team: Founder and CEO Larry Blackburn, and Director of Product Development Robert Miller, who helped kick off our popular AI series earlier this year. We’ve all heard that AI is "intelligent," but without the right environment, it’s often just guessing. In this episode, titled "Context is the Real Intelligence: Why AI and Humans Both Depend on It," we explore why context is the bridge between a "hallucinating" chatbot and a trusted business tool. In this episode, we discuss: The Human Shorthand: How our shared experiences and "organizational knowledge" allow us to communicate efficiently, and why AI lacks this by default. Context Engineering vs. Prompt Engineering: Why the future of AI isn't just about asking better questions, but about designing better information environments. The Semantic Layer: A deep dive into how tools like Snowflake allow institutions to build a "map" that keeps AI accurate and grounded in reality. Security & PII: How to maintain strict data privacy and guardrails while still giving AI the access it needs to be useful. Building Trust: Why providing institutional definitions is the only way to move from AI skepticism to AI adoption in Higher Ed and beyond. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast or "AI hesitant," this conversation will change how you think about the data you feed your systems. Because at the end of the day, meaning doesn't come from words alone—it comes from context.
S1 · E6
Mar 25, 2026
24:50
The Data Behind Belonging: Why Peer Support is Essential for Student Success
In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie sits down with Peyton Snively (Director of Student Life at Cowley College) and Eric Burr (Hope Squad Advisor and retired Chief of Police) to explore the growing mental health challenges students face today. From the peer pressure of middle school to the unique struggles of international and non-traditional college students, the stressors are real and mounting. Discover how the peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, Hope Squad, is empowering students to recognize warning signs and support one another. We also dive into how Cowley College uses targeted surveys to track student well-being, the negative impact of anonymous social media apps, and how fostering a true sense of belonging is the key to driving student success.
S1 · E5
Mar 11, 2026
20:57
Hear, Prepare, Don't React: The Power of Proactive Leadership with Dr. Telletha Valenski
Higher education is facing unprecedented shifts, from shifting enrollments to financial strain and job insecurity. How can institutional leaders stay calm and strategic when the pressure hits? In this episode of Data Stakes, Debbie is joined by Dr. Telletha "Tee" Valenski, Campus Director at San Juan College West and the recent Kirtland Educator of the Year. Dr. Valenski shares her deeply personal journey—from a 26-year path to earning her doctorate to surviving a near-fatal battle with COVID-19—and explains how these life-altering experiences shaped her philosophy on financial preparation and leadership. Together, Debbie and Tee discuss why preparation isn't pessimism, but rather a form of self-respect that allows leaders to pivot instead of panic. In this episode, we cover: Proactive vs. Reactive Leadership: Why the best leadership is calm, strategic, and focused on foresight rather than fear. Financial Literacy as Professional Literacy: How understanding your finances gives you more confidence, control, and options in an unpredictable job market. Career Resilience: Navigating non-traditional career paths, staying coachable, and remembering that "titles are temporary, but skills are transferable." Creating Student Opportunities: Tee’s work in building community-driven pathways, including connecting community college students to summer internships at Harvard. Advancing Two-Year Colleges: A look at Tee’s new role on the executive committee for the Council to Advance Two-Year Colleges and the importance of evaluating institutional systems.
S1 · E4
Feb 25, 2026
17:42
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