Impact Sessions
Please note: All times are listed in U.S. Eastern Time Zone.
Tuesday Impact Sessions
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (included with AIR Forum registration)
The 2025 AIR Forum officially begins on Tuesday, May 20 with a series of curated Impact Sessions focused on a wide range of emerging and important topics and issues with impact for everyone in higher education. These sessions are open to all registered AIR Forum attendees and are included in your regular AIR Forum registration. Impact sessions include lectures, panel presentations, and interactive discussions. Impact sessions are 90-minute sessions scheduled in two consecutive time blocks from 1:00–2:30 p.m. and 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Additional sessions are in development and will be added to this page later. Please check back for details and additional updates to the sessions listed below.
Join Us
Find community in joining your higher education colleagues for a unique opportunity to network, share best practices, and learn from practical workshops and sessions led by the field's leading experts.
Party at the Lakehouse: Enhancing Data Ecosystems & Stakeholder Engagement
Henry Zheng (Carnegie Mellon University), Matthew Hoolsema (Carnegie Mellon University), Roman Mitz (Carnegie Mellon University), Alexis Parker (Carnegie Mellon University)
Join us on our continuing data strategy journey. This session builds on last year’s data lakehouse impact session. This year we explore the evolution of CMU’s Data Lakehouse strategy and its impact on our campus. This session will cover three key topics: the growth of our data lakehouse, the vital role of community engagement in data initiatives, and our recent decision to adopt a franchise model for scaling up our growing data needs. Attendees will discover how an integrated data strategy can enhance institutional effectiveness and data governance. The session will provide actionable insights and practical strategies to foster collaboration and informed decision-making within their institutions. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to data strategies, this session will equip you with valuable tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges of a data-driven environment. Join us to share our data evolution and learn how to elevate your institution’s approach to data.
The Analytics Transformation: From Data Informed to Data Engaged Campus
Heather Epstein-Diaz (Florida State University), James Hunt (Florida State University), Rick Burnette (Florida State University), Samantha Nix (Florida State University)
As our institution navigates the complexities of a data-centric landscape, transitioning from being data-informed to actively data-engaged is critical for remaining relevant. This session will highlight various approaches to data engagement and showcase transformative practices that create a robust framework for support—whether technical, strategic, or educational. We will present multiple strategies, including course analytics that enhance student success, initiatives in data literacy, and the implementation of cloud-based data warehouses. These elements, woven together by IR as the center of excellence on data and analytics, will form an institutional data fabric that underpins informed decision-making. Participants will learn how our institutional research office positions itself as a strategic partner, fostering a dynamic data-engaged culture that ultimately improves student outcomes and enhances institutional effectiveness.