From AIR Forum to the Future

A month out from AIR Forum, I am still drawing on the many takeaways from presentations and conversations, sharing them across my campus and beyond. Being at Forum this year, especially in Washington D.C., has never felt more relevant. It truly feels like the Institutional Research (IR)/Institutional Effectiveness (IE) profession is at a watershed moment, just as higher education writ large seems to be.

What struck me most was how consistently the same themes emerged across sessions. Presenters came from different institutions and perspectives, yet many arrived at the same questions: How do we sustain trustworthy data systems amid rapid federal reporting and accreditation changes? How do we respond to accountability pressures—from return-on-investment metrics to questions of public trust? How do we meet on-campus demands like data governance and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) transitions? And of course—what do we do with AI?

I was impressed by the impact sessions AIR staff organized around these timely topics, and by the thoughtful, innovative member presentations that wrestled with the same questions. Taken together, they reinforced what I believe many of us already know: our work is no longer defined solely by reporting and compliance. Increasingly, we are trusted advisors who help institutions navigate ambiguity, build confidence in evidence, foster collaboration, and make better decisions in service of students. And even as higher education faces profound change, our members continue to meet uncertainty with generosity, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to helping their institutions thrive.

As the AIR Forum came to a close, I had the privilege of beginning my service as AIR Board Chair. I am deeply grateful to Brent Drake for his thoughtful and steady leadership over the past year. Brent challenged us to think beyond today's demands and prepare AIR for the future while remaining grounded in service to our members. I also want to thank the Board of Directors for the confidence they have placed in me. It is an honor to serve this remarkable community.

I begin this role with optimism. AIR has always evolved alongside higher education, and I believe our greatest contributions are still ahead. Together, we'll continue strengthening our profession, supporting one another, and ensuring that IR/IE remains indispensable to the future of higher education.