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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
In Memoriam: Dr. Edward L. Delaney Jr.
Dr. Edward L. Delaney Jr., a distinguished figure in the field of institutional research and a dedicated member of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR), passed away on August 14, 2024, at the age of 79. His c...Read Moreabout: In Memoriam: Dr. Edward L. Delaney Jr. -
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 -
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 -
Three Questions with Dr. Elizabeth Jach, AIR Professional File Guest Editor
We caught up with Dr. Elizabeth Jach, guest editor of Building More Inclusive Systems for Who Counts, Special Issue of the AIR Professional File, Summer 2024, to learn more about the issue, how it came to be, and wha...Read Moreabout: Three Questions with Dr. Elizabeth Jach, AIR Professional File Guest Editor -
National Survey of IR Offices: A Conversation with Darlena Jones, Ph.D.
The AIR National Survey is a comprehensive, longitudinal study of the data function within U.S. higher education institutions. The current iteration of the survey is open now until January 15, 2025. Darlena Jones, Ph.D....Read Moreabout: National Survey of IR Offices: A Conversation with Darlena Jones, Ph.D. -
Navigating Your Career: Interview Prep, Process, and Evaluation
This piece was adapted from a presentation at the SouthEast SAS Users Group (SESUG) 2024 conference. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate is 4.3% and there are more than 8.2 million job open...Read Moreabout: Navigating Your Career: Interview Prep, Process, and Evaluation -
What I’ve Learned: Reflections From My Years as an IR Director
In 2007, I moved from a tenured faculty position into higher ed administration; namely, I became a Director of Institutional Research (IR). The move was sudden, and I had no prior knowledge of IR as a field and no prior ...Read Moreabout: What I’ve Learned: Reflections From My Years as an IR Director -
Diversity and Dynamics in Hispanic Serving Community Colleges: A Comparative Study
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have become increasingly essential in enhancing college accessibility and degree completion for Hispanic students, particularly within community colleges (Laden, 2010). These HSIs ar...Read Moreabout: Diversity and Dynamics in Hispanic Serving Community Colleges: A Comparative Study -
Shape the Future: AIR Leadership Opportunities Await
“If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.” This powerful quote is attributed to Bishop Dale Bronner, a well-known pastor and speaker who has emphasized the importance of servant leadership. S...Read Moreabout: Shape the Future: AIR Leadership Opportunities Await -
Geography and Higher Education
While universities have experienced increased diversity in access over time, there continues to be a large disparity in educational attainment among students of different socioeconomic statuses, parental education levels...Read Moreabout: Geography and Higher Education -
IR Around the World Continues to Grow and Strengthen
Data-informed decision making continues to be a focal point for higher education leaders around the world and colleagues across the globe work hard in this area. Although it may be called by a slightly different name or ...Read Moreabout: IR Around the World Continues to Grow and Strengthen -
Top Priorities for New Professionals in the Field of Institutional Research Today
As part of an international master’s program in Research and Innovation in Higher Ed., we had the opportunity to explore the most salient aspects of institutional research (IR) from valuable professionals in the f...Read Moreabout: Top Priorities for New Professionals in the Field of Institutional Research Today
About eAIR
eAIR is the newsletter of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR). From its start in October 1987 to today, eAIR remains one of the most important tools for providing news to the higher education community.
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