Workshops

This workshop provides intermediate-level keyholder training, and is specifically designed for individuals who have led IPEDS data submissions at their institutions for at least one full reporting cycle. It features best practices in IR, as well as technical efficiencies in data management through Excel and in review and submission of IPEDS survey data. The workshop expands on the use of IPEDS data for benchmarking to address key institutional questions and needs. Participants should have experience with the “Use the Data” section of the NCES website, and a working knowledge of Excel. 

Note: IPEDS survey component submission instructions and basic benchmarking concepts are not covered in this workshop.

This workshop provides essential beginner-level training and a thorough introduction to the IPEDS data collection cycle and reporting requirements. Workshop topics outline keyholders’ roles and responsibilities and highlight the resources available to assist in the IPEDS planning and reporting processes. Participants are given the opportunity to create an IPEDS planning calendar for the upcoming data collection cycle. Additionally, this workshop serves as a valuable professional networking opportunity for institutional researchers in their new roles.

This workshop introduces the fundamentals of benchmarking to demonstrate institutional effectiveness. It is designed for individuals with little to no experience in benchmarking studies. Participants use data from the IPEDS Surveys, Data Feedback Reports, and the “Use the Data” center at the NCES website to learn about the types of comparison groups that can be constructed. Exercises demonstrate establishment of key performance indicators (KPIs) and identification of variables to refine comparison groups. 

This workshop stresses the importance of accuracy and consistency in data reported to IPEDS. Examples of real IPEDS data used in the public domain are incorporated, enabling participants to understand the role of governmental and non-governmental entities in IPEDS reporting. The workshop includes presentations, discussions, exercises, and demonstrations using IPEDS data tools and resources.

This workshop provides a hands-on deep dive into the IPEDS Use the Data website to identify which tool to use in various applied research questions. Participants can expect to learn when to use Data Trends, Statistical Tables, Summary Tables, Compare Institutions, and Custom Data Downloads leading to increased efficiency in responding to data requests. We will explore each of these tools and the benefits and limitations of each.

This workshop is designed for data professionals who have no training in finance or accounting and focuses on a general understanding of higher education finance with an overview of where, how, and why IPEDS Finance data are used. Topics include an introduction to higher education finance; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) vs. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB); key accounting concepts; a review of general-purpose financial statements and how they relate to the IPEDS Finance survey; and reporting comparison challenges. Exercises provide participants with experience completing the IPEDS Finance survey and benchmarking with commonly used finance variables. 

This workshop prepares individuals to accurately complete the IPEDS Human Resources (HR) survey. It is designed for IR and human resources professionals, as well as other researchers or administrators who want to increase their understanding of these data. Topics include preparing data to increase consistency within the survey, understanding data definitions, classification of employees and alignment of employee function with Bureau of Labor Statistics Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes, coordination of effort between stakeholders in and outside of an institution, and planning for efficacy of data beyond the IPEDS HR survey itself. Exercises cover classifying employees properly, preparing for and completing the IPEDS HR survey, and benchmarking with commonly used employee metrics.

This workshop provides foundational training for completing the IPEDS Student Financial Aid (SFA) Survey and the new IPEDS Cost Survey (CST). Participants will learn to manage, store, and extract financial aid data. Key financial aid concepts, creating frozen data files, and accurately completing the SFA survey will be covered. Additionally, the workshop includes a review of the new CST requirements, as well as best practices for collecting, reviewing, and submitting CST data to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Participants will understand the shift of certain cost information from the SFA to the CST survey. The training also explores leveraging these files for internal reporting and understanding the use of IPEDS financial aid data for external purposes and benchmarking.

As a data professional, you're likely fluent in IPEDS definitions and reporting structures. That familiarity can serve as a strong foundation for exploring the PDP, a student-centered data resource that offers a more comprehensive view of student progress and success.  

This workshop uses a compare-and-contrast approach to help you build fluency in PDP metrics by anchoring them to concepts you already know. Through examination of where the PDP aligns with—and diverges from—IPEDS, you'll gain a clearer understanding of how to interpret PDP data, communicate insights, and decide when to use each system effectively. Whether you’re new to the PDP or are looking to deepen your understanding, this session will help you make the most of both data systems to: 

• Compare key metrics from PDP and IPEDS to understand their different purposes  
• Learn how PDP captures the full first-year student experience, including part-time and transfer populations 
• Develop confidence in using PDP data for institutional analysis and student success efforts 

Do you seek valuable insights from comparing of your institution to others? As a student-centered data resource that offers a comprehensive view of student progress and success, the PDP provides valuable metrics and subpopulations that aren’t available elsewhere. Join AIR for a case study-based exploration of PDP's benchmarking capabilities. You will learn how to: 

• Select and apply appropriate benchmarks using PDP data 
• Identify both opportunities and limitations when benchmarking institutional performance 
• Analyze your institution’s performance relative to peer institutions 
• Connect benchmarking results to institutional student success priorities and strategic goals 

Are you curious about how to unlock the full potential of the PDP Cohort and Course Analysis-Ready (AR) files? In this hands-on workshop, we show you how to turn these datasets into actionable insights. You will: 

• Access and interpret the Cohort and Course AR files and how they will answer key student success questions 
• Explore a Power BI dashboard featuring institutional characteristics, Gateway Course metrics, credits earned, and completion timelines
• Use the dashboard in small groups using institutional data (or sample data) and discuss customization options 

Ready to go beyond what the dashboards show? This workshop introduces you to the powerful analysis-ready (AR) files available through the PDP—exportable datasets that let you dive deeper into the student experience. This workshop will enhance your analysis with deeper, customizable insights—extending the value of the dashboards by enabling broader exploration and tailored decision-making. You will learn how to:  

• Access and interpret cohort and course AR files  
• Merge PDP data with your own institutional data to uncover richer insights 
• Explore multifaceted trends in student performance and equity 
• Identify targeted outreach opportunities and strategies for improvement 

Traditional retention metrics tell only part of a story. The PDP dashboards go further and offer a more complete picture of student retention across the full first-year student population, including transfer and part-time students. Join AIR to learn how the PDP can help you uncover deeper insights and drive meaningful changes at your institution. In this workshop, you'll learn how to use the PDP to:  

• Move beyond narrow definitions of retention
• Identify patterns in student departure across time
• Explore data that better reflects the full student experience
• Develop actionable insights to support student success 

Ready to move from data to action? This workshop helps you operationalize the PDP to drive student-centered improvements at your institution. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) offers a proven structure for institutional effectiveness, and this workshop emphasizes how to use PDP data to fuel the process—ensuring your plans are both grounded in insight and built for impact. You will learn how to use PDP dashboards to: 

• Identify a pressing challenge facing a specific first-year student population 
• Construct a focused improvement plan
• Develop a communication strategy to share findings, build stakeholder buy-in, and support sustainable change 

Academic momentum matters—and the PDP can help you track it early. This workshop focuses on using PDP dashboards to interpret key early momentum metrics like credit load, credit progression, and credits earned—critical indicators of timely completion. You will gain the skills to turn early indicators into proactive student support and meaningful institutional change to: 

• Identify students at risk of losing academic momentum 
• Use data to inform early interventions and support strategies 
• Communicate findings to institutional stakeholders to drive action