NEAIR 34th Annual Conference
November 3-6, 2007
Hyatt Regency
New Brunswick, NJ

2007 NEAIR Pre-Conference Workshop Descriptions

Click here for a printable listing.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Workshops seats are a first come, first serve basis.
• Participants MUST bring a laptop to designated computer workshops
• Presenters will contact registrants after the early bird deadline with software and other computer requirements
• Conference organizers reserve the right to cancel any workshop due to low enrollment.

Newcomers to Institutional Research, Part I & II ($120)
Michelle Appel, University of Maryland
mappel@umd.edu
James Trainer, Villanova University

This workshop is provides a summary/overview of IR roles and responsibilities including: basic terms and functions, mandated reporting, strategic planning, enrollment management and assessment. Topics are covered very broadly and the workshop is intended for those new to the field. Participants will receive a binder of resources for future use.  

Introduction to Strategic Enrollment Management, Part I & II  ($160)
James Fergerson, Bates College
jfergers@bates.edu

“Strategic Enrollment Management” (SEM) refers to coordinated efforts to recruit, enroll, and retain students. How do institutions achieve optimal enrollments and generate sufficient revenues, while fulfilling their mission, goals, and values? This is an entry-level overview of SEM concepts, strategies, tools, and best practices for admissions, enrollment, retention and planning.

A Practical Approach to Developing an Outcomes Assessment Plan, Part I &II ($160)
Gayle Fink, University of Maryland System
gfink@usmd.edu
Mitch Nesler , SUNY-Empire State College

This workshop introduces participants to outcomes assessment at the institutional, program and course levels. Expected learning outcomes include: identifying and describing assessment concepts and terms, and applying assessment concepts to real situations. Specific assessment instruments and effective strategies for engaging and integrating outcomes assessment will also be discussed.  

“Where do I Start?” Analyzing and Reporting on Survey Datasets, Part I & II ($160) (computer required/SPSS 14.0 or higher)
Julie Alig, NEASC Commission on Higher Education

This workshop will help you get your bearings and chart a course through the maze of data generated by a survey. It will outline where to begin, when to use various statistical techniques, how to report your findings to different audiences, and will discuss ethical considerations in survey research.



Saturday Afternoon Workshops
(1:30 – 4:30 pm) November 3, 2007  

Assessing General Education Outcomes  ($85)
J. Fredericks Volkwein, Penn State University
volkwein@psu.edu

This workshop examines general education and how to assess it. Participants will review institutional Gen Ed issues and challenges, learn strategies that assess Gen Ed at both the course and program levels, identify the Gen Ed Outcomes recommended by the AAC&U, discuss Gen Ed assessment methods, measures, and instruments.

Intermediate/Advanced Statistics ($85)  (computer required/SPSS 14.0 or higher)
Mary Ann Coughlin, Springfield College
mcoughlin@spfldcol.edu

This workshop will provide an overview of the applications of Analysis of Variance and Factor Analysis in Institutional Research. The workshop will provide case study examples of the applications of these statistics within Institutional Research. Participants will learn to utilize SPSS to calculate these statistics.    



Two-Part Workshop: November 4, 2007
Sunday, 9:00 am - noon & 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Spatial Analysis for Institutional Research, Part I & II ($160) (computer required/ArcGIS9.2 will be provided)
Allan Medwick, Kean University
amedwick@kean.edu

This workshop focuses on the spatial methods and perspectives an institutional research office needs to successfully adopt and implement a GIS software package (e.g., ArcInfo). It will cover how to prepare data for spatial analysis, design an effective map, and query geographic data.    



Sunday Morning Workshops
(9:00 am – noon) November 4, 2007  

CANCELLED:
IPEDS Tools for Beginners

CANCELLED:
How to Conduct Your Surveys on the Web with Vovici



Sunday Afternoon Workshops
(1:00 – 4:00 pm) November 4, 2007

IPEDS Intermediate Peer Analysis (PAS) and Data Analysis System ($35 - NOTE reduced fees - underwritten by AIR) (computer required)
Gayle Fink, University of Maryland System
gfink@usmd.edu  

This workshop is designed to provide experienced PAS users with additional skills and knowledge to make their PAS analysis more effective. In addition, participants will have hands on instruction of the Dataset Cutting Tool (DCT) and the Data Analysis System (DAS).  

Communicating CIRP Results to Your Institution ($85)
John Pryor, University of California , Los Angeles
john.pryor@ucla.edu

This pre-conference workshop will focus on how busy IR professions can use the wealth of information generated by the surveys of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP): The CIRP Freshman Survey, the Your First College year Survey, and the College Senior Survey.  

Planning 101: An Introduction to the Planning Process for Small Colleges ($85)
Joan Merlo, Molloy College
jmerlo@molloy.edu

This workshop will provide its members with a step-by-step procedure that outlines the main points that are required to write a Strategic Plan. Various types of planning models, the complete strategic planning process, and information on how to develop a participatory milieu are provided. Hands on exercises will be included.

Let's Do It: Available Strategies and Instruments for Assessing Student Learning in the Major ($85)
J. Fredericks Volkwein, Penn State University
volkwein@psu.edu

This workshop examines various strategies and instruments for measuring student learning in the major. Institutional researchers will come away from the workshop better equipped to assist faculty with their department based programs.  

Preparing for Accreditation? What are the Issues? ($85)
Rebecca Brodigan, Middlebury College
rbrodigan@middlebury.edu
Karen Froslid Jones, American University  

Most regional accrediting agencies have enhanced their requirements around student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness. This session will focus on the NEASC and Middle States standards for accreditation and the expectations of accreditors.  

Successful Strategic Management: An Institutional Research Perspective ($85)
Michael Dooris, Penn State University
mjd1@psu.edu
James Trainer, Villanova University
John Kelley, Villanova University

Today, knowledge about planning is a valuable component in the skill set for many institutional researchers. In this workshop, the editors of the NDIR volume “Successful Strategic Planning” will share techniques that IR offices can use to contribute to productive strategic management. Participants will receive copies of the monograph.

Looking forward to seeing you in New Brunswick!