Special Features

eAIR features foster broad knowledge and appreciation of the diverse membership of AIR, and of the different professional contexts and activities in which members are engaged.

Interviews are peer-reviewed by members of the AIR publications volunteer panel before they are published on the site, and the ideas and perspectives expressed in the interviews are not necessarily the opinions of AIR. If you would like to suggest a person of interest for a future interview, or would like to volunteer to conduct interviews for eAIR, please contact publications@airweb.org.

May 2013

Can you trust national data? Are the data available to institutional researchers reliable? AIR asked a random sample of members to rate the quality of 11 large-scale data sets often used in IR studies. READ MORE and share your thoughts and questions.

As a Professor of Higher Education at Florida State University, Robert A. Schwartz shares his perspective on how people "find" IR and offers an “elevator ride” explanation for why participation in an IR certificate program is valuable.

AIR is pleased to announce that John F. Ryan, Director of Institutional Research at the University of Vermont, has been named the incoming Editor of New Directions for Institutional Research (NDIR).

April 2013

Assessment illuminates the core of the higher education enterprise—that is, assessment helps colleges and universities tell the story of student learning. In order to explore how well we are doing in this arena, eAIR spoke with George Kuh.

As conversations about higher education become more global, institutional researchers benefit from shared learning about the challenges and opportunities facing colleges and universities around the world. In preparation for the International IR Caucus at the 2013 Forum, eAIR asked AIR International Ambassadors to reflect on changes they anticipate for institutional research in their countries in 2013.

Each year, AIR members recognize their colleagues who have made extraordinary contributions to the success of the Association and to the institutional research profession. AIR celebrates the 2013 recipients of the Outstanding Service Award, John E. Stecklein Distinguished Member Award, and Sidney Suslow Scholar Award.

March 2013

The Research In Higher Education Special Forum Issue is available for all AIR members at no cost.

Amanda Yale introduced Kevin McCarthy to institutional research when she recognized that his interests and talents would be a good fit for the field. Together they discuss the importance of collaboration in a “culture of performance”—the type of campus collaboration that helped their university achieve significant goals and also shaped the paths that led them to IR.

February 2013
The career paths that lead to institutional research are varied. As a result, the shared learning experiences available to AIR members are rich and diverse. To that end, eAIR asked members of the AIR Board of Directors to reflect on their careers and share advice they wish they had received as new professionals. READ MORE and share your insight.

AIR launches a new member benefit - the eLibrary.

AIR announces the 2012 winners of the Charles F. Elton Best Paper Award.

January 2013

AIR members know that the “talk around D.C.” often results in new work on our desks— “trickle down” is not just an economic term. It is smart to keep an eye on the federal government scene, and to that end, eAIR asked four Washington data policy insiders to predict what is coming in 2013. READ MORE and share your thoughts and questions.

A new tool is available that allows institutional researchers to learn how many of your students registered to vote, voted, and how (absentee or regular ballot) in 2012. These data can drive conversations about the effectiveness of civic learning experiences on campus and about increasing student political engagement in 2014 and 2016. READ MORE and share your thoughts and questions.

December 2012

Junchao Zhang and Min Chen discuss IR work in China and reflect on their recent visit to the U.S.

A recent AIR survey explored whether members are up to date with FERPA. Among respondents, 45% indicated that understanding FERPA is essential to their work, and 40% indicated that some knowledge of FERPA is helpful. However, less than 40% of respondents reported high levels of comfort with FERPA. READ MORE and share your thoughts and questions.

November 2012

A recent survey of AIR members explored awareness and knowledge of the new IPEDS HR categories. Forty-four percent of survey respondents reported that they are involved in their institutions’ conversions to the new IPEDS HR occupational categories, and 28% reported they are unaware of the new HR categories. READ MORE and share your thoughts and questions.

Cory Clasemann talks about how his inquisitive nature and background in broadcast journalism are natural fits for a career in institutional research.

October 2012

A recent report by the Delta Cost Project highlights findings from a study of college spending and attrition, including the discovery that “roughly 20 percent of education and related spending in higher education results from attrition.” Of particular interest to IR professionals is the methodology offered to assign “institutional production costs to attrition” and related benchmarks. READ MORE and share your thoughts and questions.

Laura Saunders shares how she uses data in her role as a college president and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a broad perspective.

Natalie Snow reflects on the role of trust in institutional research and shares the IR moment that “just about made [her] lifetime."

September 2012

Analytics is a growing part of higher education vernacular. Questions abound: What is it? How is it defined? Are IR professionals expected to be masters of analytics? Is it a buzzword or a way of doing business? In August 2012, the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research (ECAR) issued a report entitled Analytics in Higher Education: Benefits, Barriers, Progress, and Recommendations. The report emphasizes that “analytics itself is not the end goal. Rather, analytics is a tool used in addressing strategic problems or questions.” READ MORE and share your thoughts and questions.

Chris Mullin discusses his work in the policy arena and highlights the importance of engaging in professional development throughout one’s career.

William Knight reflects on his career, shares what inspires him, and offers insight for new institutional research professionals.

August 2012

What are your thoughts about the U.S. Department of Education's new Shopping Sheet?

July 2012

In his essay, The Future of Institutional Research: Business Intelligence, E. Rob Stirton encourages institutional researchers to look to leading businesses for techniques that can inform our practices in higher education. Readers are invited to join a conversation about the role of BI in the future of IR.

Dr. Mihir shares his experience at the recent National Data Institute and reflects on the role of institutional research in his personal journey.

June 2012

AIR congratulates Stephen L. DesJardins, Mary Ann Coughlin, Patrick T. Terenzini, as well as Siew C. Ang, Stephanie Corliss, and Dawn Zimmaro. Our 2012 Award Winners were honored at the Forum for their accomplishments and their contributions to the Association and the field of institutional research.

Learn more about Julia M. Duckwall and the scholarship fund, now fully endowed, established in her name.

May 2012

Learn more about AIR visiting scholar Shuguang Wei of Wuhan, China.

April 2012

Dawn Geronimo Terkla describes what she enjoys about her role as an academic advisor and how it informs her work in institutional research.

In his essay, Finding a Seat at the Table, G.L. Donhardt advocates for change in the IR profession and calls for inclusion of chief IR officers at the highest levels of campus decision making. Readers are invited to join a conversation about what it means to find a seat at the executive tables on their campuses.

March 2012

Cynthia B. Gray reflects on her role as an IPEDS Trainer and offers encouragement for new and seasoned IPEDS users.

In celebration of the release of The Association for Institutional Research: The First 50 Years, eAIR interviewed Gary Rice, Project Coordinator, and Mary Ann Coughlin, Co-Editor, to learn about the genesis and meaning of the project.

The Obama administration is proposing a new addition to the College Affordability and Transparency Center - The White House College Scorecard. Readers are invited to learn more and join a conversation about the instrument and its potential impact on IR.

February 2012

Glenn Gabbard describes the work of a higher education resource center dedicated to social justice in a diverse democracy.

January 2012

eAIR interviewed Andrew J. Mauk: What happens when a student affairs doctoral student completes an IR Certificate? He gets a job he loves!

Michael F. Middaugh, a former Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, reflects both on the roles of math classes and friendship throughout his career in IR.