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AIR Submits Additional Comments on Proposed ACTS Survey
On December 15, 2025, the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) submitted additional written comments to the U.S. Department of Education in response to new documentation released for the proposed Admissions and C...Read Moreabout: AIR Submits Additional Comments on Proposed ACTS Survey -
AIR National Survey Brief Reports Published
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is pleased to announce the publication of the 2024 AIR National Survey brief reports, offering insights into the structures, roles, and activities of institutional researc...Read Moreabout: AIR National Survey Brief Reports Published -
AIR Executive Director Named Among U.S. News 2025 Best Leaders
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is pleased to share that Executive Director and CEO Christine M. Keller, Ph.D., has been named one of U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Leaders.The U.S. News ...Read Moreabout: AIR Executive Director Named Among U.S. News 2025 Best Leaders -
AIR Submits Recommendations on the Redesign of the Institute of Education Sciences
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Education in response to its Request for Information on Redesigning the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) (Docket I...Read Moreabout: AIR Submits Recommendations on the Redesign of the Institute of Education Sciences -
Beyond Compliance and Through Uncertainty: Our Commitment Endures
As data professionals, we find ourselves in one of the most unsettling reporting environments higher education has faced. The uncertainty is real; shifting federal priorities, new requirements, and unclear guidance makes...Read Moreabout: Beyond Compliance and Through Uncertainty: Our Commitment Endures -
AIR Joins Higher Education Associations in Opposing PSLF Overhaul
AIR joined 44 other higher education associations this week in submitting comments on the Department of Education’s proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The proposal would revise ...Read Moreabout: AIR Joins Higher Education Associations in Opposing PSLF Overhaul -
Data-Rich to Information-Rich: AI Trends in Higher Education Institutional Research
Higher education institutions have long been data-rich, accumulating vast datasets across enrollment, academic records, financial aid, and student success. Yet many IR teams face challenges in turning those datasets into...Read Moreabout: Data-Rich to Information-Rich: AI Trends in Higher Education Institutional Research -
AIR’s Annual Report: Growth, Voice, and Resilience in a Changing Landscape
I hope everyone’s start of the fall semester is going well. I want to take a moment to advocate for you to read the annual report published yesterday. I would hope that it is no surprise to you that we are living i...Read Moreabout: AIR’s Annual Report: Growth, Voice, and Resilience in a Changing Landscape -
2024–25 Annual Report Highlights a Year of Growth, Adaptation, and Leadership
The past year has brought significant change across higher education—shifting policies, evolving priorities, and the conclusion of AIR’s federal subcontract for IPEDS training after more than two decades. Thr...Read Moreabout: 2024–25 Annual Report Highlights a Year of Growth, Adaptation, and Leadership -
Share Your Insights: AI’s Impact on Higher Ed Work
AIR is partnering with EDUCAUSE, CUPA-HR, and NACUBO to better understand how advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are shaping work in higher education. We invite you to take a short survey about AI’s impact on...Read Moreabout: Share Your Insights: AI’s Impact on Higher Ed Work -
Closing the Data Literacy Culture Gap
Colleges and universities face difficult choices—tight resources, accountability demands, shifting student demographics, and rapid technology evolution. In that context, data should be a stabilizer: a shared langua...Read Moreabout: Closing the Data Literacy Culture Gap -
Proposed IPEDS ACTS Component: AIR Community Survey Results
When the U.S. Department of Education proposed adding an Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to IPEDS beginning in 2025–26, AIR recognized the importance of elevating institutional voices in that...Read Moreabout: Proposed IPEDS ACTS Component: AIR Community Survey Results -
Get to Know Our Community: Abhishek Singh
In my role, I ensure timely completion of federal, state, and external reporting requirements such as IPEDS, NYSED, and U.S. News, etc. I also use analytics, dashboards, and predictive models to support key institutional...Read Moreabout: Get to Know Our Community: Abhishek Singh -
Higher Education Associations Urge Adoption of FAIR Model for Research Costs
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) has joined more than 160 higher education and research organizations in signing a letter to House and Senate appropriators urging support for the Financial Accountability ...Read Moreabout: Higher Education Associations Urge Adoption of FAIR Model for Research Costs -
AIR Executive Director Weighs In: Proposed IPEDS Supplement Could Undermine Reliability of Admissions Data
In an Inside Higher Ed opinion piece published September 15, 2025, Bryan Cook, vice president of data and policy analysis at the American Council on Education, and Christine M. Keller, executive director and CEO of the A...Read Moreabout: AIR Executive Director Weighs In: Proposed IPEDS Supplement Could Undermine Reliability of Admissions Data -
New AIR–IHEP Network Empowers Institutions to Turn Data into Action
As data professionals, we know that data and insight aren’t enough—it’s what we do with them that truly drives impact. Turning information into meaningful change requires strategy, collaboration, and th...Read Moreabout: New AIR–IHEP Network Empowers Institutions to Turn Data into Action -
U.S. Department of Education Issues Reminder on 2025 FVT/GE Reporting Cycle and Upcoming Student Warning Requirements
On July 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued Electronic Announcement GE-25-03, reminding institutions that the 2025 Financial Value Transparency (FVT) and Gainful Employment (GE) reporting cycle opened J...Read Moreabout: U.S. Department of Education Issues Reminder on 2025 FVT/GE Reporting Cycle and Upcoming Student Warning Requirements -
AIR Contributes to National Report on Changes at the U.S. Department of Education
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) recently provided input for a national report titled Education At Risk: Frontline Impacts on Students and Institutions. Released in July 2025 by Sen. Elizabeth Warren&rsqu...Read Moreabout: AIR Contributes to National Report on Changes at the U.S. Department of Education -
How We Are Navigating Accreditation as a Small Team (And What We’d Try to Do Differently)
When the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmation cycle officially began for our institution two years ago, I anticipated a demanding process, but I didn’t fully g...Read Moreabout: How We Are Navigating Accreditation as a Small Team (And What We’d Try to Do Differently) -
Your Chance to Lead: Shaping AIR’s Future Through Board and NEC Service
As newly-elected members of the Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC), we are excited to encourage our fellow members of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) to consider stepping into a leadership role. W...Read Moreabout: Your Chance to Lead: Shaping AIR’s Future Through Board and NEC Service -
Step Into Leadership: Nominations for AIR Volunteer Roles Are Open
I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer with a little time to unwind. At the start of the new Board year, I want to remind everyone that nominations for both the Board and the Nominations and Election Committee (NE...Read Moreabout: Step Into Leadership: Nominations for AIR Volunteer Roles Are Open -
LLM-based AI for IR: Approaches and Strategies
As Institutional Researchers, we navigate an overwhelming landscape of AI technologies. Since late 2022, Large Language Models (LLMs) have transformed how we can approach data analysis, but choosing the right integration...Read Moreabout: LLM-based AI for IR: Approaches and Strategies -
Good Leaders Care for Themselves and Their Teams
We are a busy group. Most data professionals in higher education would describe themselves as constantly working, often beyond capacity. According to the 2024 AIR National Survey, 56% of those in small IR offices, 44% of...Read Moreabout: Good Leaders Care for Themselves and Their Teams -
Positioning AIR for What’s Next in Higher Education
As I think about this past year with the Board, I'm proud of the strides we've made together to advance the mission of AIR. We worked to broaden pathways to volunteer leadership within AIR, aiming to reflect the rich div...Read Moreabout: Positioning AIR for What’s Next in Higher Education -
AIR Survey Highlights Institutional Concerns Over Changes to U.S. Department of Education
In May 2025, the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) conducted a survey to assess the impact of recent and proposed changes to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on Institutional Research and Institutional Ef...Read Moreabout: AIR Survey Highlights Institutional Concerns Over Changes to U.S. Department of Education -
AIR Welcomes Newly Elected, Appointed Leaders
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is pleased to announce the results of the 2025 leadership elections. The newly elected leaders officially assumed their roles during the Annual Business Meeting at the 202...Read Moreabout: AIR Welcomes Newly Elected, Appointed Leaders -
Highlights from the 2025 AIR Annual Business Meeting
The 2025 Annual Business Meeting of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) took place on Wednesday afternoon during the AIR Forum, bringing members together to reflect on the organization’s progress, reco...Read Moreabout: Highlights from the 2025 AIR Annual Business Meeting -
AIR Announces 2025 Award Recipients
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 AIR Awards, which recognize excellence, service, scholarship, and leadership in the field of Institutional Research and hig...Read Moreabout: AIR Announces 2025 Award Recipients -
Sailing through the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Institutional Research
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing many aspects of our world, including institutional research (IR), providing unprecedented capabilities for data analysis, predictive modeling, and decision-making. To remai...Read Moreabout: Sailing through the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Institutional Research -
Identifying Low-Effort Survey Responses: A Guide and App
Survey data impacts some of the most important decisions in higher education, with institutions relying on it to accurately capture the voices of their community. While many IR/IE offices are well aware of challenges in ...Read Moreabout: Identifying Low-Effort Survey Responses: A Guide and App -
Looking Ahead: Welcoming New Leadership in a Time of Change
With the recent AIR election concluded and results officially certified by the Nominations & Elections Committee (NEC), I’m pleased to extend heartfelt congratulations to our newly elected Board and NEC members...Read Moreabout: Looking Ahead: Welcoming New Leadership in a Time of Change -
Getting Ready for AIR Forum: FAQs
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is preparing for its 2025 AIR Forum, scheduled for May 20–23 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. This annual conference is the largest global gathering o...Read Moreabout: Getting Ready for AIR Forum: FAQs -
AIR, EDUCAUSE, and NACUBO’s Change With Analytics Playbook Wins 2025 TRENDY Award
On March 13, 2025, the Change With Analytics Playbook—a collaborative publication developed by the Association for Institutional Research (AIR), EDUCAUSE, and the National Association of College and University Busi...Read Moreabout: AIR, EDUCAUSE, and NACUBO’s Change With Analytics Playbook Wins 2025 TRENDY Award -
Higher Education Leaders Align on Guiding Principles for Learning and Employment Records
LER Accelerator champions interoperable credentialing systems to advance workforce development and learner empowerment.In a landmark collaboration, 12 leading national associations have adopted a unified set of core prin...Read Moreabout: Higher Education Leaders Align on Guiding Principles for Learning and Employment Records -
AIR Joins National Organizations in Support of DEI in Higher Education
In February 2025, the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) joined over 100 national organizations in signing a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, affirming a shared commitment to diversity, equity, and i...Read Moreabout: AIR Joins National Organizations in Support of DEI in Higher Education -
What’s in a Vote? A Conversation of Two Nominations and Elections Committee Members
Shari: Eric, it’s been great serving with you on Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) this year. What highlights do you most want to share with our IR friends and colleagues? Eric: It’s been great s...Read Moreabout: What’s in a Vote? A Conversation of Two Nominations and Elections Committee Members -
AIR Supports Request to Extend Reporting Deadlines for Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Regulations
In January 2025, the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) joined a coalition of higher education associations in signing a letter led by the American Council on Education (ACE) to the U.S. Department of Education...Read Moreabout: AIR Supports Request to Extend Reporting Deadlines for Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Regulations -
Curriculum Analytics: Approaches to Structural Analysis
Institutional research (IR) offices are often tasked with providing information about student progression towards a degree. The nature of the institutional data available lends itself to providing significant insigh...Read Moreabout: Curriculum Analytics: Approaches to Structural Analysis -
Developing Data Science and Advanced Analytics Capabilities to Expand IR/IE Office Portfolios
Data science and advanced analytics capabilities generally refer to a set of methods, skills, and tools aimed at extracting actionable insights and knowledge from enterprise and external data resources to inform decision...Read Moreabout: Developing Data Science and Advanced Analytics Capabilities to Expand IR/IE Office Portfolios -
Board Corner: Incorporating Strategic Foresight
During the last three years, the Board has had a committee focused on thinking about the future of Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness (IR/IE) as a profession and how AIR can help all our members excel...Read Moreabout: Board Corner: Incorporating Strategic Foresight
About eAIR
Since 1987, eAIR has been the trusted newsletter for institutional researchers and data-informed leaders. Each issue brings you the latest perspectives, news, and practical resources to help you succeed in a changing higher education landscape.