University to Host ALAIR Conference

Institutional Researchers from throughout the state will visit Jacksonville State University Thursday and Friday for the 22nd annual Alabama Association for Institutional Research (ALAIR) conference, hosted this year by the JSU Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.

Organizers chose “A Breath of Fresh AIR” as the theme for this year’s conference because, in addition to the opportunity to gather the freshest developments in institutional research, attendees will have the chance to enjoy breathtaking views and take in the crisp spring air from atop Houston Cole Library, the conference location.

Keynote speakers for the event will be Dr. Brian Noland, state higher education executive officer of West Virginia; and Dr. Gregory Fitch, executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. Conference attendees will be offered breakout sessions covering almost 20 timely topics including sessions on recent IPEDS race/ethnicity changes, the use of Microsoft Access for Banner reporting, strategies for getting ready for SACS-COC reaffirmation, tracking student progress and attrition, and more. Among the presenters will be Dr. Alicia Simmons, director, JSU institutional research and assessment, and Mr. Omer Minhas, JSU coordinator of institutional research, who will demonstrate decision making and analytics using Tableau software.

Thursday evening, ALAIR members will experience JSU hospitality at its best during the welcome reception, “Hors d’oeuvres and Jazz,” which will feature live music by the JSU Jazz Combo on the 12th floor of the library and observation deck.

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