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NWACC Partners with the National Community College Benchmark Project to Host Mini Data Symposium
NorthWest Arkansas Community College partnered with the National Community College Benchmark Project (NCCBP) to host a Mini Data Symposium on Thursday, Oct. 17.
The Mini Data Symposium brought together multiple professionals, educators, and researchers to foster collaboration and exchange vital information.
"By creating a space for dialogue both within and between institutions, we facilitate shared learning and collective growth," said Dr. Jacque Eidson, Director of the National Community College Benchmark Project. “The symposium at NWACC exemplified this by providing a platform for discussions on future opportunities, challenges, and strategies for community colleges. It also offered a valuable moment to reflect on the significant contributions of community colleges to their students and communities while exploring pathways for continuous improvement."
The symposium included five guest speakers.
Matthew Simpson, Chief Research & Planning Officer, and Matt Harris, Director of Analytics & Research Operations, presented on Ozarks Technical Community College’s use of NCCBP data to better evaluate the effectiveness of its programs and services to students as well as the college’s performance on key metrics relative to peer institutions.
Alex Wells, Assistant Dean of Counseling & New Student Retention, Connor Nyberg, Senior Business Analyst & Manager, and John Clayton, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning & Research, presented on Johnson County Community College’s implementation of cutting-edge predictive analytics to enhance student success and informing decisions regarding enrollment, advising, and other critical support services.
"Benchmarks are powerful tools for community colleges, offering a way to measure performance, identify areas for improvement, and guide strategic planning," said Dr. Eidson. "It helps community colleges maintain focus on both internal performance and external standards, driving improvements that ultimately enhance the educational experience for students."
"As a community college, we are thrilled to partner and work with another flagship college to advance based on the data. It’s essential to work together and take the time to understand our performance metrics to provide the best experience and education to our students and community," said Dr. Dennis C. Rittle, NWACC president. "We are grateful to groups like the National Community College Benchmarking Institute who are willing to share their vital expertise with us to make our academic world better."
NCCBP officials say they work with 150-250 institutions annually and recognize the challenges that many community colleges face, such as staff turnover and limited resources. NCCBP strives to offer flexibility and support to their partner institutions. Their goal is to help member institutions effectively leverage their data, ensuring that it is used in meaningful ways to drive improvement and support institutional goals.
This year's symposium was free to everyone in higher education in Arkansas. The college hopes to host another mini-symposium in 2025.
For more information about the National Community College Benchmark Project, click here.