Virtual Data Summit Highlights Innovation and Impact

The Virtual Data Summit: From Insight to Action highlighted data-driven innovation and student success, recognizing practitioners and award winners who transformed metrics into actionable strategies for institutional and community impact. The two-day event featured presentations from state leaders, breakout sessions, practitioner showcases, and the annual Dashboard Impact Awards.

The summit opened Nov. 3 with “Slingshot Insights: Measuring Impact, Revealing Barriers,” a session led by Slingshot Memphis. The organization shared how its data-informed approach to poverty reduction has helped identify systemic barriers and guide more effective solutions across the city.

Later that morning, faculty and staff participated in “Data in Action Think Tanks,” collaborative breakout sessions designed to connect summit insights to campus initiatives. The day concluded with “Supporting First-Generation Students: Insights and Priorities,” led by Dr. Martina A. Martin of FirstGen Forward.

On Nov. 4, Russell VanZomeren, senior director of fiscal policy for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, presented “Funding Outcomes in Focus: Southwest’s 2020–2025 Cycle.” VanZomeren outlined how state funding is tied to performance metrics such as student progression, completion, and workforce alignment. He emphasized that transferring to bachelor’s degree programs earns Southwest additional funding, reinforcing the importance of long-term student achievement.

Following the presentation, faculty and staff reconvened for another round of “Data in Action Think Tanks,” focusing on how individual roles can support workforce development and transfer pathways as Southwest prepares to launch its next strategic plan, Pathways to Prosperity: Reform 3.0.

In the afternoon, the “Empowering Evidence: A Practitioner Showcase” featured reflections and final projects from the Data Practitioner Cohort. Over the course of six weeks, cohort members developed data literacy and created research projects that translated institutional data into actionable strategies. Highlights included Briana Buress’s analysis of tutoring utilization, Sharon Hightower’s study of nursing exam predictors, and Schuler Smith’s facilities planning project. Other projects explored readmission trends among students, digital equity, nursing enrollment, and employee turnover.

The summit concluded with the Dashboard Impact Awards, honoring individuals and teams who demonstrated exemplary use of Southwest’s internal and Tennessee Board of Regents dashboards. Award recipients included:

Insight Illuminator Award – Justin Williams

Recognized for his exceptional use of the Student Success Suite and Factbook, Justin Williams illuminated key trends in student performance and engagement. His work helped departments translate raw data into clear, actionable insights that improved advising, retention, and support services.

Data Stewardship Excellence Award – Matt Lexow

Matt Lexow was honored for his meticulous management of the Deans Suite and Factbook, ensuring data accuracy, accessibility, and relevance. His stewardship empowered academic leaders to make informed decisions grounded in reliable evidence.

Academic Integrity Impact Award – Dr. Sheila Bouie

Dr. Bouie leveraged the Grades Dashboard within the Deans Suite to uphold academic standards and identify patterns in grading equity. Her work supported faculty development and reinforced institutional commitment to integrity and fairness.

Student Achievement Advocate Award – Raquel Addams

Raquel Addams used the Student Success Suite Grades Dashboard to champion student achievement. Her analysis helped uncover barriers to academic progress and informed targeted interventions that boosted course completion and GPA outcomes.

Strategic Enrollment Visionary Award – Tracie Johnson

Tracie Johnson’s strategic use of the Leadership Suite Registration Dashboard guided enrollment planning and course scheduling. Her insights helped align offerings with student demand and institutional capacity, improving registration efficiency and access.

Student Momentum Champion Award – Dr. Jose daSilva

Dr. daSilva applied the Retention and Graduation Dashboard from the Student Success Suite to track student momentum across semesters. His work highlighted critical transition points and informed strategies to keep students on track toward graduation.

Persistence & Progress Award – Lindsey Shaidnagle

Lindsey Shaidnagle’s use of the Dean's Suite and Retention and Graduation Dashboard focused on long-term student persistence. Her efforts helped departments identify at-risk populations and implement supports that improved term-to-term retention.

Completion Catalyst Award – Dr. Carol Ash

Dr. Ash utilized the Leadership Suite Retention and Graduation Dashboard to accelerate degree completion. Her data-informed initiatives streamlined pathways and removed institutional bottlenecks, helping more students reach graduation.

Excellence in Program Insight Award – Dr. Brad Cliff

Dr. Cliff’s work with the Program Review Dashboard provided deep insights into program performance, outcomes, and alignment with workforce needs. His analysis supported program improvement and strategic resource allocation.

Academic Vitality Award – Dr. Derrick Wheatley

Dr. Wheatley utilized the Program Health Index Dashboard to evaluate the sustainability and vitality of academic programs. His work informed decisions on curriculum updates, faculty support, and program prioritization.

Postsecondary Pathways Impact Award – Johnice Mottley

Johnice Mottley’s use of the Student Tracker Subsequent Enrollment Dashboard highlighted student transfer patterns and postsecondary progress. Her insights helped Southwest strengthen partnerships and improve bachelor’s degree transfer rates.

Enrollment Intelligence Award – Rosie Britton

Rosie Britton was recognized for her work with the Tennessee Board of Regents Registration Dashboard, where she analyzed enrollment trends and student re-entry patterns. Her findings informed outreach strategies and improved access for returning students.

As Southwest closes out Focus 2025 and prepares for Reform 3.0, the summit reinforced the power of data to illuminate challenges, celebrate progress and shape the future of student success.