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 in the middle of a significantly changing landscape in higher education through current federal policy. It has impacted us all and has had a direct impact on AIR with the cancellation of our long-standing contract for conducting the IPEDS training for the Department of Education. Despite that blow, as the annual report points out, the organization has responded by continuing to offer IPEDS related training under the new Data & Decisions Academy.

The annual report also highlights the strength of AIR through our continuing grant work with the Gates foundation, and our expanded education and training opportunities. The organization has also greatly expanded the voice of our community as AIR was accepted as a member of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat in fall 2024, allowing AIR to represent the priorities of data professionals in federal policy discussions, a point that is sorely needed in the current federal climate. And that advocacy voice represents a dramatically expanding community, as the AIR membership has nearly tripled thanks to the organizational membership option.

Finally, the loss of the IPEDS training contract has provided the opportunity for AIR to accelerate a long-discussed effort to significantly expand AIR’s consulting services. The annual report lays out how AIR is leaning into Data & Decisions Consulting.

All of these efforts are very impactful for AIR and for all of us as members. As such, I would encourage everyone to take a few moments and learn more about them in the annual report.

Thank you,
Brent