AIR Data & Decisions Academy: All Topics

Designed for professionals across all functional areas, the Academy provides practical, accessible learning experiences that translate complex data concepts into actionable strategies. Whether you’re new to data or looking to refine your expertise, our offerings will help you gain confidence in using, accessing, and managing institutional data effectively.

Professional Development

Comparing PDP and IPEDS Metrics

Explore the differences and complementarities between PDP and IPEDS metrics to better understand and report on student success.

Beginner • Live Online Workshop • 1-2 Hours
Institutional Culture of Evidence

Any Experience Level | On-Demand Webinar Series | 2 hours

This webinar series explores the characteristics of an institutional culture of evidence and the role that assessment plays in that culture. We discuss strategies to assess your institution's culture (context, resources, and individuals), identify skills needed to build a culture of evidence at your institution, and provide tips to build and strengthen your institution's culture.
IPEDS Data and Benchmarking: Supporting Decision Making and Institutional Effectiveness

Learn how to use IPEDS data and benchmarking techniques to support institutional effectiveness and strategic decision-making efforts.

All Levels • Live Online Workshop • Half Day
IPEDS Data Tools

Explore IPEDS tools hands-on and learn how to select and use the right resource for answering institutional research questions.

Intermediate • Live Online Workshop • Half Day
IPEDS Finance Training for IR Professionals

Gain foundational knowledge of higher education finance and strengthen your ability to complete and benchmark using IPEDS Finance data.

All Levels • Live Online Workshop • Half Day
IPEDS Human Resources Training

Learn to prepare, classify, and submit accurate IPEDS Human Resources data while strengthening your understanding of HR data practices.

All Levels • Live Online Workshop • Half Day
IPEDS Student Financial Aid and Cost Survey Training

Build foundational skills to complete IPEDS Student Financial Aid (SFA) and Cost Survey (CST) submissions accurately and effectively.

All Levels • Live Online Workshop • Half Day
LEADing Change with Analytics: Bridging the Gap from Data to Decisions

Learn to lead data-informed change initiatives by building stakeholder engagement, overcoming resistance, and turning analytics into action.

Beginner/Intermediate • In-Person Workshop • Half-Day
Leading with Action: Beyond the Data

Strengthen your leadership potential by developing human-centered communication, listening, and change management skills essential for data-driven influence.

Intermediate • In-Person Workshop • Multi-Day
Leveraging Postsecondary Data Partnership Dashboards for Effective Benchmarking

Learn how to navigate, interpret, and leverage PDP Analysis-Ready files to deepen institutional research and strengthen student success strategies.

Beginner • Live Online Workshop • 1-2 Hours
The Art and Science of Managing the IR Office

Gain the management skills needed to lead an IR office—building teams, allocating resources, and navigating leadership dynamics.

Intermediate • In-Person Workshop • Full Day
Understanding the PDP Analysis-Ready Files

Learn how to navigate, interpret, and leverage PDP Analysis-Ready files to deepen institutional research and strengthen student success strategies.

Beginner • Live Online Workshop • 1-2 Hours
Understanding the Postsecondary Data Partnership Institution-Level Dashboards

Learn how to navigate PDP dashboards to identify student success metrics, performance gaps, and opportunities for institutional improvement.

All Levels • Live Online Workshop • 1-2 Hours
Using the PDP for Student Retention: Who Am I Losing and When Are They Leaving?

Learn to use PDP dashboards to identify retention patterns across all student populations—not just first-time, full-time freshmen.

Intermediate • Live Online Workshop • 1-2 Hours
Using the PDP to Support a Student-Centered Continuous Quality Improvement Plan

Learn how to leverage PDP dashboards to design, implement, and communicate a student-centered continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan.

Intermediate • Live Online Workshop • 1-2 Hours
Using the PDP to Understand Academic Momentum

Learn how to use PDP dashboards to measure academic momentum and identify early indicators of student success or risk.

Intermediate • Live Online Workshop • 1-2 Hours