Rocky Mountain Association for Institutional Research (RMAIR) 2021 Virtual Conference Program

“The New Landscapes of Higher Education”

October 12th, October 19th, and October 26th

10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Mountain time)

The 51st Annual RMAIR Conference will once again be conducted on a virtual platform.  With an online format, we expect to engage more of our members and once again have a simplified format with live, interactive sessions over Zoom.  There will be a mix of presentations by members and sponsors, pre-recorded sessions, and break-out rooms for discussion and social networking.   

Here is the conference agenda.  The overarching theme for the conference this year is “The new landscapes of higher education (e.g., diversity, equity, and inclusion) as it relates to our work in IR”.  Dr. Christine Keller, Executive Director of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR), has graciously agreed to be our first keynote speaker.   

You can register for the event by clicking the button below.

RMAIR 2021 Conference Schedule/Program

Tuesday October 12, 2021

10:00 am – 11:35 am:

Opening Keynote

KEYNOTE | GENERAL

Presenter:

Christine Keller, Executive Director & CEO, AIR

Through the looking glass:  Preparing IR/IE for the future

The events of the past 18 months—most significantly, the coronavirus pandemic and increased calls for racial justice—have upended and reconfigured our professional lives in many ways.  We’ve learned how to connect remotely, leverage “real time” data/analytics, and helped to uncover and name practices/policies that disadvantage minoritized students.  The events have also underscored the importance of our work in IR/IE and the power of data/analytics and data-informed decision cultures during a time of uncertainty and change. This presentation will describe emerging patterns, trends, and questions as we look to prepare and shape the future of our profession.

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88147749844

11:35 am – 11:45 am:

Get your coffee and connect with a colleague or check your emails!

BREAK

11:45 am – 12:35 pm:

Facing the Future: Build a Thriving Program Portfolio with Integrated Planning and Predictive Analytics

WORKSHOP

Presenter(s):

Robert Gray Atkins, CEO, Gray Associates, Boston, MA

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87012416814

12:35 pm – 1:00 pm:

Break for Lunch

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm:

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (ROOMS A-E)

Room A: Support Service Program Reviews: How One College Expanded Assessment Beyond Student Learning

Presenter(s):

Lisa Smith, Institutional Research Manager, Northwest College, Cody, WY

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86083013481

Room B: Validating and Developing the Structural Equation Model of Institutional Performance in Graduation Rates using IPEDS

Presenter(s):

Chen Zong, IR Analyst, Institutional Analysis, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/626628923

Room C: Predicting the Risk of Withdrawal in the First Year: Using a Machine Learning Approach to Forecasting Early Student Success

Presenter(s):

Nathan Lindstedt, Data Scientist, Institutional Research, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81373587884

Room D: Techniques and Tactics on Auditing State and Federal Reports for Accuracy

Presenter(s):

Nicolas Valcik, Managing Director, Institutional Research, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Ashley McPherson, Section Manager, Institutional Research, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Lesli White, Lead Administrator, Institutional Research, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86957284322

Room E: From Orientation to Graduation: The Major Exploration Pathways Project

Presenter(s):

Ben White, Business Data Analyst, University of Utah – Office of Budget and Institutional Analysis

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/626702050

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm:

Join your colleagues for social networking and raffle!

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81874471884

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

10:00 am – 11:00 am:

Opening Keynote

KEYNOTE | GENERAL

Presenter:

Matt Sigelman, CEO, EMSI Burning Glass

Dynamos for Diversity: New Horizons for Higher Education 

Skills are changing fast, and so are the demands put on higher education by employers and students alike. By focusing on skills and building closer alignment with the job market, higher education institutions have an opportunity to grow their enrollments, place their graduates, and drive diversity in society.

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85952375103

11:00 am – 11:15 am:

Get your coffee and connect with a colleague or check your emails!

BREAK

11:15 am – 12:00 pm:

SPONSOR SHOWCASE SESSION | SPONSOR SESSION

The Role of Institutional Research in Using Data to Close Equity Gaps with a Tool like the PDP

Presenter(s):

Dr. Lisa Stich, Senior Specialist, Data Partnership, National Student Clearinghouse

Andi Liner, Regional Relationship Manager, National Student Clearinghouse

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88493978728

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm:

Break for Lunch

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm:

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Rooms A-E)

Room A: A Markov Chain Model for College Level Enrollment Based Budget Forecasting

Presenter(s):

Patricia Bartholomew, Business Data Analyst, College of Arts & Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81427737625

Room B: Introduction to Data Science, Big Data and Decision Making for Institutional Research

Presenter(s):

Luciano Boas, Project Manager, Institutional Research, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Room C: Modeling STEM Students’ Decision Making on Persistence to the Third Fall: A Rational Expectations Application

Presenter(s):

John Crooker, Associate Vice Provost/Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Office of Decision Support, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Celeste Calkins, Institutional Research Data Analyst, Office of Decision Support, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Qingmin Shi, Institutional Research Data Analyst, Office of Decision Support, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81425706686

Room D: CC Institutional Researchers’ Knowledge, Experience, and Perceptions of Machine Learning

Presenter(s):

Mark Perkins, Assistant Professor of Educational Research, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

W. Reed Scull, Associate Professor of Higher Education Administration, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Jonathan Carrier, Assistant Professor, Counseling Leadership Advocacy & Design, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Michael Barber, Data Scientist

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85203416992

Room E: Improving Stakeholder Services Using R Shiny

Presenter(s):

Hadley Jolley, Research Analyst, Institutional Research

Sarah Smith, Director, Institutional Research

Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86827429116

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm:

Join your colleagues for social networking and raffle!

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84583125886

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

10:00 am – 10:45 am:

Strengthening Enrollment with Market Aligned Programs

SPONSOR SHOWCASE SESSION | SPONSOR SESSION

In-demand academic programs that align with learners’ goals are the foundation of effective enrollment and retention strategies. The good news is, the same data used to develop these programs in the first place can (and should!) also be used to communicate their value to prospective students.

In this session, you’ll learn the “why” and “how” of aligning programs with labor market trends, and leveraging that alignment to market programs more effectively. Join us for an overview of recent trends, key data points to consider, and strategies for putting that data to work.

Presenter(s):

Remie Verougstraete, Senior Writer and Strategist, EMSI Burning Glass

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83693237758

10:45 am – 11:00 am:

Get your coffee and connect with a colleague or check your emails!

BREAK

11:00 am – 12:00 pm:

Business Meeting

RMAIR Election Results (Lisa)

  • Vice President
  • Emeritus Members (taking nominations from floor)
  • Introductions to 2021-22 RMAIR Board

Recognition (Vicky)

  • Outgoing Past President – Lisa Smith (Northwest College, Powell, Wyoming)
  • Sponsors
    • Gray Associates (Presentation/workshop)
    • EMSI/Burning Glass (Keynote Oct 19th)
    • National Student Clearinghouse (Sponsored session)
    • Tableau
    • Intellidemia
  • 2021 Conference Committee – Fran Hermanson, Nathan Lindstedt, and James Downes

Review of By-Laws (Vicky)

  • Brief review of document
  • Clarify stipend amount and funds transfer process

Updates (Quinn)

  • RMAIR logo update
  • Treasurer’s Report/Annual Budget
  • RMAIR Mighty Network with a walkthrough

Conference Chair (Fran)

  • Best Presentation Submission Instructions
  • Conference and Session Evaluation Instructions
  • Raffle – Announce winners

Future RMAIR Conferences (Vicky)

  • 2022 – Texas (host Texas Tech University)
  • 2023 – Colorado? Idaho?
  • 2024 – Open slot

Other Announcements

Adjourn (Dawn)

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83503932189

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm:

Break for Lunch

12:30 pm – 1:15 pm:

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (ROOM A-B)

Room A: That’s not Valid! An Overview of Research Paradigms and their Implications for IR

Presenter(s):

Mark Perkins, Assistant Professor of Educational Research, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89454957621

Room B: Assessing and Addressing the Needs of American Indian Community College Students

Presenter(s):

Laurie Cohen, Director, Institutional Research, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ

Crystal Morehouse, Planning and Research Analyst, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82121456872

12:30 pm – 1:15 pm:

Meeting of the Minds: A Net Tuition Forecasting Model that Links Enrollment Management and Fiscal Planning

WORKSHOP

Presenter(s):

Stephanie Kane, Assistant Director, Institutional Research Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85246397852

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:

Live Software Demonstration | Q&A

PES+ Markets and Economics

SPONSOR SHOWCASE SESSION | SPONSOR SESSION

Presenter(s):

Elaine Rowles, Senior Analyst, Gray Associates

Juanel Oriach, Director, Customer Success, Gray Associates

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85123385588

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm:

Join your colleagues for social networking and raffle!

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87693754033