Data-Driven Leadership: Turning Campus Dashboards into Student Success Strategies Reading time: 4 Minutes Higher education institutions have more data than ever before, from enrollment figures and financial aid records to retention trends and course performance. Yet many campus leaders still struggle to turn this wealth of information into clear, actionable insights. The paradox is that while data is abundant, decision-making often remains slow, siloed, and reactive. In today’s competitive environment, colleges and universities cannot afford to operate without real-time, reliable insights. The shift from static reporting to dynamic dashboards and institutional research support is no longer optional. It is becoming a strategic advantage. Why Dashboards Alone Are Not Enough Most institutions already have dashboards in place, but common obstacles limit their value. Data silos across ERP, SIS, and LMS systems make it difficult to connect critical metrics. Manual reporting introduces delays and errors that frustrate leadership. Even when BI platforms exist, they are often underutilized, providing only surface-level numbers. And when dashboards are designed as one-size-fits-all, they fail to give presidents, CFOs, provosts, and enrollment leaders the tailored insights they need. The result is a leadership team that sees data but not the story behind it, making it difficult to act with confidence. Connecting Data to Student Success When dashboards and institutional research services are designed with strategy in mind, they become powerful tools for improving outcomes. Real-time enrollment dashboards can alert leaders to application trends or yield rate changes before they affect revenue. Automated financial aid reporting ensures compliance while reducing delays for students who depend on timely support. Predictive insights help advisors identify at-risk students early and intervene before challenges escalate. And for finance and operations, executive dashboards give presidents and CFOs a clear view of institutional health at a glance. These examples show that dashboards are not just about visibility. They are about aligning resources with priorities and ensuring the institution is positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. What Modern Institutional Research Looks Like Forward-looking campuses are redefining institutional research by pairing skilled analysts with advanced platforms. A modern IR approach often includes: PowerBI dashboards tailored for enrollment, aid, and student success Executive-level dashboards designed for presidents, CFOs, and cabinet leadership Automated reporting for IR offices, boards, and IPEDS complianceCross-platform expertise across Colleague, Banner, Workday, and other major systems The outcome is clarity. Leaders move beyond reactive reporting and gain the ability to make proactive, data-informed decisions that drive measurable change. The Impact of Stronger IR Services When institutional research is supported by the right tools and expertise, the benefits ripple across campus. Leaders experience faster access to critical insights, improved accuracy in reports, and greater confidence in decision-making. Departments are able to collaborate more effectively when they are working from a single, trusted source of data. Over time, these improvements enhance student services, streamline operations, and give leadership the clarity needed to guide institutional strategy with confidence. Strengthening Accreditation and Board Reporting Dashboards also play an essential role in accreditation and board-level reporting. Accreditation agencies increasingly expect institutions to demonstrate measurable outcomes across enrollment, retention, finance, and student success. Manually preparing these reports consumes weeks of staff time and increases the risk of errors. With automated dashboards, leaders can produce compliance-ready reports in minutes. Because the data is both real-time and auditable, institutions approach accreditation and trustee presentations with confidence. For boards and cabinet leadership, executive dashboards shift the focus from chasing numbers to engaging in strategy. Enabling Data Driven Leadership True data-driven leadership requires more than dashboards. It takes the right mix of technology, expertise, and strategy to ensure leaders are acting on accurate and timely information. Institutions that embrace this approach create environments where insights are delivered in real time, compliance reporting is less burdensome, and leadership teams can make decisions with greater confidence. By pairing experienced analysts with modern BI platforms, campuses can move from data collection to data clarity. The goal is simple: give presidents, CFOs, and provosts the insights they need to lead with confidence and align decisions with student success. Unlocking Student Success Through Data Driven Leadership Budget pressures, enrollment shifts, and accountability demands make it impossible to rely on outdated reporting processes. Data driven leadership is not about tracking numbers but about shaping strategy with confidence. Institutions that modernize their dashboards and invest in IR services will adapt faster, retain more students, and deliver on their mission. Those that do not risk falling behind as challenges mount. Data is one of higher education’s most powerful assets, but it only matters if it is put to work. By transforming dashboards into strategies, campuses can align leadership decisions with student success, financial sustainability, and institutional growth. OculusIT partners with colleges and universities to deliver institutional research services that provide clarity, speed, and actionable insights. Let’s connect to explore how your institution can move from data overload to data driven leadership.

From AI to Real-World Wins: My Top Goals for EDUCAUSE 2025 August 18th, 2025 Every year, EDUCAUSE brings together the brightest minds in higher education technology, along with plenty of coffee-fueled conversations. This year feels especially exciting. With AI adoption moving into practical applications, data integrations reshaping decision-making, and partnerships driving innovation faster than ever, EDUCAUSE 2025 promises more than informative sessions and a tote bag of giveaways. It is an opportunity to experience the future of campus IT up close. As I prepare for the event, I have been building my personal “must-see” list. It covers the big technology trends, the real-world strategies, and the kinds of hallway conversations that can spark game-changing ideas. Here are six reasons I am genuinely looking forward to EDUCAUSE 2025 and why I believe these topics matter for every higher education leader focused on technology, learning, and growth. 1. Seeing AI in Action for Higher Education Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a buzzword and is now proving its value in everyday campus operations. I am eager to see how institutions are using AI to improve both efficiency and outcomes, from automating routine IT tasks to helping admissions teams identify students who may need additional support. I am equally interested in how campuses are ensuring AI remains ethical, transparent, and aligned with institutional values. 2. Unlocking the Power of Data Insights and Integrations Data becomes more valuable when it is connected, accessible, and put to work in meaningful ways. EDUCAUSE offers a chance to explore how campuses are integrating data across academic, administrative, and financial systems to make decisions faster and with greater accuracy. When institutions connect their data effectively, they gain the ability to act with confidence and agility. One example is Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which partnered with OculusIT to transition from Tableau to PowerBI. By integrating dashboards, providing on-demand support, and training users, WPI was able to accelerate adoption and ensure smoother decision-making through connected data. 3. Learning from Innovative Partnerships Many of the most impactful changes in higher education happen through strong partnerships that combine campus expertise with the right technology. I look forward to seeing examples where these collaborations have improved access to resources, accelerated modernization, and delivered measurable results without creating additional administrative complexity. At OculusIT, we have more than 20+ CIOs and certified CISOs on staff who bring forward looking leadership and guidance to modernize technology and improve student success, making partnerships not just about implementation but about long-term strategy. 4. Exploring Campus Cybersecurity in the Age of AI Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly complex as both threats and defenses evolve with AI capabilities. I want to learn more about how institutions are using AI to detect and prevent attacks before they disrupt operations, and how they are making security measures both stronger and easier for users to navigate. 5. Bridging the Gap Between IT Strategy and Academic Goals A strong technology strategy should work hand in hand with an institution’s academic mission. I am hoping to hear stories of campuses where IT and academic leaders collaborate from the earliest planning stages, ensuring that technology investments directly enhance teaching, learning, and research outcomes. 6. Building Real-World Connections Some of the most valuable moments at EDUCAUSE happen in informal settings, where attendees share challenges, trade solutions, and realize that many institutions are navigating similar issues. These conversations often lead to partnerships and initiatives that create lasting impact long after the event ends. Why This Matters Beyond the Conference EDUCAUSE is not just another industry gathering. It is where the ideas, relationships, and strategies that will shape the future of higher education IT begin to take form. I am attending with an open mind, ready to learn from peers, share insights, and return with approaches that can be applied immediately to strengthen the institutions we serve. If you are attending EDUCAUSE 2025, let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to drive innovation and improve outcomes for your institution.

From AI to Real-World Wins: My Top Goals for EDUCAUSE 2025 August 18th, 2025 Every year, EDUCAUSE brings together the brightest minds in higher education technology, along with plenty of coffee-fueled conversations. This year feels especially exciting. With AI adoption moving into practical applications, data integrations reshaping decision-making, and partnerships driving innovation faster than ever, EDUCAUSE 2025 promises more than informative sessions and a tote bag of giveaways. It is an opportunity to experience the future of campus IT up close. As I prepare for the event, I have been building my personal “must-see” list. It covers the big technology trends, the real-world strategies, and the kinds of hallway conversations that can spark game-changing ideas. Here are six reasons I am genuinely looking forward to EDUCAUSE 2025 and why I believe these topics matter for every higher education leader focused on technology, learning, and growth. 1. Seeing AI in Action for Higher Education Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a buzzword and is now proving its value in everyday campus operations. I am eager to see how institutions are using AI to improve both efficiency and outcomes, from automating routine IT tasks to helping admissions teams identify students who may need additional support. I am equally interested in how campuses are ensuring AI remains ethical, transparent, and aligned with institutional values. 2. Unlocking the Power of Data Insights and Integrations Data becomes more valuable when it is connected, accessible, and put to work in meaningful ways. EDUCAUSE offers a chance to explore how campuses are integrating data across academic, administrative, and financial systems to make decisions faster and with greater accuracy. When institutions connect their data effectively, they gain the ability to act with confidence and agility. One example is Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which partnered with OculusIT to transition from Tableau to PowerBI. By integrating dashboards, providing on-demand support, and training users, WPI was able to accelerate adoption and ensure smoother decision-making through connected data. 3. Learning from Innovative Partnerships Many of the most impactful changes in higher education happen through strong partnerships that combine campus expertise with the right technology. I look forward to seeing examples where these collaborations have improved access to resources, accelerated modernization, and delivered measurable results without creating additional administrative complexity. At OculusIT, we have more than 20+ CIOs and certified CISOs on staff who bring forward looking leadership and guidance to modernize technology and improve student success, making partnerships not just about implementation but about long-term strategy. 4. Exploring Campus Cybersecurity in the Age of AI Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly complex as both threats and defenses evolve with AI capabilities. I want to learn more about how institutions are using AI to detect and prevent attacks before they disrupt operations, and how they are making security measures both stronger and easier for users to navigate. 5. Bridging the Gap Between IT Strategy and Academic Goals A strong technology strategy should work hand in hand with an institution’s academic mission. I am hoping to hear stories of campuses where IT and academic leaders collaborate from the earliest planning stages, ensuring that technology investments directly enhance teaching, learning, and research outcomes. 6. Building Real-World Connections Some of the most valuable moments at EDUCAUSE happen in informal settings, where attendees share challenges, trade solutions, and realize that many institutions are navigating similar issues. These conversations often lead to partnerships and initiatives that create lasting impact long after the event ends. Why This Matters Beyond the Conference EDUCAUSE is not just another industry gathering. It is where the ideas, relationships, and strategies that will shape the future of higher education IT begin to take form. I am attending with an open mind, ready to learn from peers, share insights, and return with approaches that can be applied immediately to strengthen the institutions we serve. If you are attending EDUCAUSE 2025, let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to drive innovation and improve outcomes for your institution.