The presidential scholarship requires a significant investment of time, completion of assignments, and interaction with mentors. Specifically, Johnson completed modules and 60 contact hours for two courses that focused on longitudinal analysis and learning outcomes. Longitudinal analysis, the study of short series of observations obtained from many respondents over time, is increasingly important for colleges. According to Johnson, “If you look at a set of students over time you’re able to get a bigger picture of our college and how students’ progress to their educational goals.”
Learning outcomes are another research focus area, particularly at community colleges. Understanding how to measure and analyze student learning outcomes provides faculty with critical information regarding teaching strategies and learning, which benefits both students and the college. Johnson notes that “data are used to inform and evaluate decisions.” Identifying what factors impact a student’s ability to complete a technical program and secure a job, or earn a degree and transfer to a four-year university, provides crucial information to decision makers at different levels. He also says “Sometimes decision makers need a snapshot of what Reynolds looks like right now while other times they need more specific information that shows changes or trends over time.”
Data-informed decision-making has been on the rise across the education industry and Johnson expects the trend to continue: “Data have been used to inform a business how it will change over time. You’re now seeing many higher education institutions adopt this business mindset – leaders are more focused on the power of data.”
Fortunately for Reynolds, Johnson and his colleagues in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness stand ready to help the institution unleash that power to advance student success.
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| Ryan Johnson with Dr. Gary Rhodes, president of Reynolds |
