Leveraging Assessment Insights to Improve Decision-Making at Stillman College
Impact at a Glance
Identified gaps in data availability, access, and management
Increased awareness of effective data practices across campus
Strengthened institutional data governance
Expanded data literacy and training opportunities
Built a foundation for more data-informed decision-making
The Challenge
Stillman College, a private historically Black liberal arts college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, wanted to strengthen how institutional data was managed and used to support decision-making and student success.
The college identified several areas for improvement:
- Increase the availability of reliable institutional data
- Improve access to data across different roles
- Build greater trust in data quality
- Strengthen data management and governance practices
- Develop a culture of data-informed decision-making
Improving these practices would give the college better student-level information to inform strategies for student learning, degree completion, and student services.
The Action
Stillman College used NACUBO’s Data Ecosystem Assessment to evaluate its existing data infrastructure, systems, and practices.
The college:
- Gathered feedback from campus data users about existing systems and processes
- Examined how employees collect, store, share, and use data
- Identified areas where policies and procedures could be strengthened
- Shared assessment findings broadly with institutional stakeholders
- Used findings to guide targeted data skills training
- Began developing stronger data governance and security practices
The assessment provided a roadmap for improving data practices while building greater awareness, knowledge, and trust in institutional data.
The Results
Immediate Impact
- Increased awareness of data practices and governance across the institution
- Established principles, practices, and standards to guide data use
- Created opportunities for more open conversations about effective data governance
- Used assessment findings to identify targeted training needs
Process Improvements
- Strengthened the institution’s capacity for faster, more informed decision-making
- Began developing a formal Data Governance policy
- Expanded training to strengthen data skills and literacy
- Advanced practices designed to improve data security and reduce risk
- Built greater trust in the quality and usefulness of institutional data
Ongoing Momentum
- Integrate data insights into everyday institutional practices
- Continue strengthening data governance processes and policies
- Expand data literacy and skills across the campus community
- Maintain stakeholder engagement around effective data use
- Embed data-informed decision-making into institutional processes
“The assessment ignited an awareness that piqued stakeholders' interest and motivated them to leverage data insights.”
Victoria Bowen Boman, Ed.D.Vice President of Enrollment Management
