May 26-29, 2026
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC | Washington, DC
Curiosity is the spark that ignites data engagement. At Tarrant County College, the Office of Institutional Research launched the Data and Research Summit, an annual event designed to inspire faculty and staff to explore data beyond compliance and reporting. This session shares how we leveraged storytelling, visual dashboards, and strategic partnerships to cultivate a data-curious community. Attendees will learn how curiosity-driven design led to the creation of the IR Data Hub and IR Corner, which laid the foundation for the Summit and transformed data access and engagement across the college. Along the way, we’ll share key lessons learned from our journey, what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d do differently. Join us to explore practical strategies for hosting your own summit and fostering a culture where curiosity leads to data-informed action.
Executive Director of Institutional Research
Tarrant County College
Director of Research
Tarrant County College
Business Intelligence Specialist
Tarrant County College
Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
Central Georgia Technical College
Senior Analyst
Johnson County Community College
Community college students often face unique barriers in online mathematics courses, leading to lower completion and persistence compared to in-person formats. This session draws on a qualitative case study at Delaware County Community College, where student interviews highlighted supports and barriers in online math. Flexible recorded lectures, adaptive tools, and responsive instructors aided persistence, while limited peer interaction, inconsistent tutoring, technical challenges, and family responsibilities hindered progress. A distinctive feature of this research is the use of AI-assisted transcript analysis, which enabled synthesis of large volumes of interview data into actionable themes.
Attendees will gain evidence-based strategies to redesign online math courses and supports, while also learning how AI can enhance qualitative research. Though grounded in a community college, findings are relevant to the first two years of higher education where gateway math is stumbling block.
Director of Institutional Research
Delaware County Community College
VP of Institutional Research
Collin College, Texas
Director of Institutional Research
Collin College, Texas
Why do so many students leave community colleges within their first two years, and how can advising help change that story? This session shares findings from a mixed-methods study conducted at Delaware County Community College, which investigated advising as a key lever for student success. Using staff empathy interviews, stop-out student interviews, advisor perspectives, a survey of current students, and policy analysis, the research team uncovered systemic barriers and opportunities in advising that directly shape persistence and equity outcomes.
Attendees will learn how to integrate empathy-driven methods with institutional evidence to generate actionable insights for strengthening advising systems. While rooted in a community college context, the findings are relevant to the first two years at four-year institutions, where attrition risks are similarly concentrated. Participants will leave with strategies and recommendations to inform advising reform and improve student retention.
Director of Institutional Research
Delaware County Community College
