Improve Student Success Team Data Literacy | Dr. Gene VanSickle, UNG

Today’s guest, Dr. Gene VanSickle, discusses the importance of using data consistently and campus-wide to promote student success. As the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs at University of North Georgia, he has a great deal of insight into how you can navigate a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. And shares how use of data has made if feasible for UNG to provide proactive support to a diverse student population.

In this episode, we talk about how to transform all the data we have access to into actionable insights, how to build data literacy, and how building data literacy leads to better student outcomes. We also discuss how to use data to build coalitions across academic and student affairs and why it is so important to trade in reactivity for proactive data-informed approaches for student success.

[2:18] - The biggest challenges that University of North Georgia is facing are the ones caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

[3:36] - There are a lot of different types of data they use to approach solutions for these challenges and to be more efficient.

[5:28] - In 2022, University of North Georgia is focusing on using data to find the challenges students are facing and intervene intentionally.

[6:46] - Previously, data sets were used, but not consistently. Literacy and consistency is key.

[8:25] - It has been impactful to make data accessible and have everyone on the same page.

[9:52] - Gene shares some practices that have filtered down that all began with data.

[12:01] - What tools have helped their team make sense of the data and create meaningful intervention for students?

[13:49] - Data helps frame conversations and trust.

[15:00] - Another result of using data more consistently is how teams on campus collaborate.

[17:18] - The work ethic of the teams at UNG has proven to be remarkable as Gene saw everyone rally together to support students.

[19:40] - When working across different units, there is a valuable perspective that everyone brings to the table.

[21:30] - UNG’s data has shown a decrease in retention since the pandemic.

[23:44] - As August approaches, Gene shares some of the concerns of the upcoming year.

[24:24] - When it comes to data, it is crucial to be very intentional.

[25:45] - How can you use the data to be proactive instead of reactive? If you are reactive to data, you’re too late to solve the problem.

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