Data Stakes – Giving Data a Voice in Higher Education
Debbie Phelps
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About This Podcast
Join host Debbie Phelps for Data Stakes – Giving Data a Voice in Higher Education, a podcast dedicated to empowering institutional researchers and higher education leaders. Sponsored by the Data Analytics Alliance for Higher Education (DAAHE), this series serves as a catalyst for those navigating the complex landscape of campus data. We bring the community together to explore how analytics can be harnessed to solve real-world issues, moving beyond simple reporting to drive informed decision-making and strategic growth across institutions.
In each episode, we delve into the pressing topics that shape the modern campus, from the intricacies of mandatory reporting to the strategies that support student success. You will hear directly from the people in the roles—peers in institutional research and effectiveness—sharing their personal journeys, hard-won success stories, and the critical lessons they have learned along the way. Whether you are looking to improve your data storytelling or streamline your operations, Table Stakes offers the actionable insights you need.
What we discuss:
- Institutional Intelligence: Navigating the nuances of IPEDS data and regulatory compliance.
- Student Centricity: Defining and tracking the student success metrics that actually move the needle on retention.
- Real Stories: Candid conversations with university professionals about their biggest wins and toughest challenges.
- Strategic Insights: Lessons learned on building a data-informed culture within higher education.
Podcasting 2.0 Features
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Recent Episodes
S1E11 Progress Over Perfection: Adaptive Data Governance with Dr. Tara Webb
Data governance doesn't have to be intimidating. All too often, the topic induces sighs and eye-rolls across higher education campuses. But what if data governance was viewed not as a set of…
S1E10 "Dating" Your Data Vendor: Building Lasting Tech Partnerships in Higher Ed
Is your institution’s latest data technology rollout feeling more like a failing relationship than a lasting partnership? You aren't alone. In this episode of Data Stakes, Debbie sits down with John…
S1E9 Beyond Compliance: Building a Data-Driven Accreditation Culture with Dr. Ken Matthews
In this episode of Data Stakes, Debbie is joined by Dr. Ken Matthews, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, to discuss how…
S1E8 Escaping "Neutral" Data: How to Embed Futures Thinking into Institutional Strategy
Episode Summary Higher education is evolving at a faster rate than anyone could have anticipated. How can institutions move past simply reacting to change and start actively anticipating it?In this…
S1E7 Connecting the Dots: How Ozarks Tech Links Data, Budgets, and Strategy
In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie Phelps explores how to transform high-level institutional strategy into tangible daily practice. She is joined by Dr. Callie Holden (College Director of…
S1E6 Context is the Real Intelligence: Why AI and Humans Both Depend on It
Back by popular demand! After the massive success of our first AI-focused episode, the Data Stakes podcast is returning to the world of Artificial Intelligence—but this time, we’re peeling back the…
S1E5 The Data Behind Belonging: Why Peer Support is Essential for Student Success
In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie sits down with Peyton Snively (Director of Student Life at Cowley College) and Eric Burr (Hope Squad Advisor and retired Chief of Police) to explore the…
S1E4 Hear, Prepare, Don't React: The Power of Proactive Leadership with Dr. Telletha Valenski
Higher education is facing unprecedented shifts, from shifting enrollments to financial strain and job insecurity. How can institutional leaders stay calm and strategic when the pressure hits?In this…
S1E3 From the Trenches to the Table: Strategies for Advancing in Higher Ed Data
How do you go from a drum major to a Vice President? In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie Phelps sits down with Dr. Melanie Jenkins-Simpson, the Associate Vice President of Institutional…
S1E2 Agentic AI in Higher Education: Transforming Research, Data, and Campus Administration
Is higher education fully tapping into the power of Artificial Intelligence? In this episode, Debbie sits down with IT executive Robert Miller to cut through the AI hype and explore "Agentic…
S1E1 Building a Data Culture: Professional Development and Advocacy with AIR
In this inaugural interview, host Debbie Phelps sits down with Leah Ewing Ross to discuss how the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) supports data professionals at all stages of their…
S1 Data Stakes Podcast Intro
Welcome to Episode 00, the official kickoff of the Data Stakes podcast! In this brief introduction, host Debbie Phelps sets the stage for our series, sharing our mission to give data a real voice in…
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Stakes – Giving Data a Voice in Higher Education has published 12 episodes since January 2026, covering topics in Education, Technology.
Data Stakes – Giving Data a Voice in Higher Education is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 27m.
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