Newcomers’ Workshop

1. Newcomers’ Workshop CIRPA Conference 2011 Fredericton, NB Sharon Shultz, Keyano College

2. Our Afternoon • Introductions • The field of Institutional Research • Global IR • Trends, challenges, opportunities • Discussion

3. Introductions • Name • Organization • Job Title/Role • Number of Years in IR • Education background

4. Stand up…..

5. What is IR?How do you describe your job?

6. Describe your job

8. What do you bring to IR?

9. What do you bring to IR? • Making data accessible & organized for use • Relationship building • Employment background (e.g. trades background at trades college) • Rigor, data integrity • Capacity for data analytics • Humanistic component to research (e.g. socioeconomic) • Ability to find opportunities • Fresh set of eyes – new perspective • Adaptability • Bridge between data and business • Patience • Sense of humour

10. Definitions • “Organizational intelligence” (Terenzini, 1999) • Research designed to generate information that serves planning, policy development, resource allocation, and management or evaluation decisions in all functional areas. (Corcoran, 1985). • “Research leading to improved understanding, planning and operating of institutions of postsecondary education” (AIR)

11. Institutional Researchers: A Profile • University (50%), College (30%), Government (10%), Associations (5%), Corporate (5%) • 50:50 gender mix • Almost 45% are 50 years or older • Varying years of experience • Most commonly hold a Masters degree • All range of academic backgrounds and experience

12. Where’s IR • Professional Associations • CIRPA – Canada • AIR - US • Around the world • IR Affinity Groups • ERP Providers, e.g. HEUG • SEM groups, AACRAO • Data Warehousing Associations, e.g. HEDW

13. Regional Institutional Research Associations • Pacific Northwest Assoc for IR & Planning (PNAIRP) • Association of IR Upper Midwest (AIRUM) • Rocky Mountain AIR (RMAIR) • Mid-America AIR (MIDAIR) • North East Assoc for IR (NEAIR) • Southern Assoc for IR (SAIR) • Puerto Rico Assoc for IR (PRAIR) • Canadian IR &Planning Association (CIRPA)

14. Regional Institutional Research Associations

15. Institutional Research Around the World • Canadian IR &Planning Association (CIRPA) • Association of IR (AIR) • European Higher Ed Society • Middle East North Africa AIR • South African Assoc for IR • Australasian Assoc for IR • Overseas Chinese Assoc for IR • Higher Education Research & Policy Network • South East Asian Association for IR (SEAAIR)

16. Institutional Research Around the World

17. MENA-AIR Middle East & North Africa 2011 Conference • Cairo, Egypt • Oct 12 – 14, 2011 (3rd annual) • Theme: Institutional Research in Changing Times

18. SEAAIR South East Asia Association for IR 2011 Conference • Chiang Mai, Thailand • November 2 – 4, 2011 (11th annual) • Theme: University Social Responsibility: Pathways to Excellence

19. AAIR Australasian Association for IR 2011 Conference • Queensland, Australia • Nov 9 – 11, 2011 (21st annual) • Theme: Let the Sunshine In

20. CIRPA Conference 2011 • Welcome to our 20th annual conference • Theme: Looking Forward: Institutional Research and Planning in Canada: The Next 20 Years

21. Key Areas of Interest • What are your expectations for this conference? • What are you most interested in learning at this year’s CIRPA?

22. Key Issues • What are the trends, challenges and opportunities for IR in Canada?

23. Issues/Trends/Opportunities/ Challenges • Changing demographics – more: • Mature students • Aboriginal students • International students • Students with disabilities • Retention/Recruitment • Confidentiality/Privacy • Self Service vs Face to Face • Misinterpretation of data • Setting boundaries – ask WHY? • Centralization of data • Access to data • Building trust/credibility

24. Trends, Challenges, OpportunitiesCIRPA Strategic Plan 2004 • Growing complexity of IR • Challenge of integrating data systems • More government involvement in measurement • Escalating survey fatique • Competition for government funds • Democratization of access to information • Increasing emphasis on accountability • Significant leadership changes • Greater interest in and use of benchmarking

25. Trends, Challenges, OpportunitiesCIRPA Strategic Plan 2010 • Financial and budgetary constraints of institutions • Pervasiveness of accountability • Increasing external demand for information • Increased emphasis on quality assurance and educational outcomes • Need to create value for diverse member expectations and views • Ongoing balance between scholarly vs practitioner focus • Ongoing recruitment and retention of members • Leadership continuity and succession

26. Increased Emphasis on Ethics and Accountability

27. Capacity-Building Outside IR

28. What I Wished I Learned Earlier • Use the CIRPA listserv/CIRPA Linked in group • Connect with your IR colleagues! • Ask for what they have & share!!! • Subscribe to dailies • e.g. StatCan, Chronicle of Higher Education, Academica • Read the journal: New Directions in Institutional Research (Jossey-Bass) • There is an association for everything – tap into them • e.g. Higher Education Data Warehousing Forum (HEDW), Canadian Evaluation Society (CES)

29. Sharon Shultz Director, Research Keyano College sharon.shultz@keyano.ca (780) 792-5623