How do you go from a drum major to a Vice President? In this episode of Data Stakes, host Debbie Phelps sits down with Dr. Melanie Jenkins-Simpson, the Associate Vice President of Institutional Research at the University of Alabama, to map out the road to leadership in higher education.

Together, they explore the evolution of the Institutional Research (IR) field—from printing spreadsheets on green bar paper to the modern demands of data science and business analytics. Dr. Jenkins-Simpson shares her personal journey and offers actionable advice for professionals at every stage of their career, emphasizing that while technical skills get you in the door, soft skills and "staying in the know" help you rise.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Educational Path: Which degrees matter most for leadership (and why Computer Science is the new frontier).
• Soft Skills for Data Pros: Why a sense of humor, communication skills, and policy interpretation are just as vital as statistics.
• Professional Development: How to utilize resources from the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) and the importance of volunteering.
• Navigating Change: Preparing for the "enrollment cliff" and the future of data governance.

Join us to learn how you can carve out your own path and become a legend in the data field.

Is higher education fully tapping into the power of Artificial Intelligence? In this episode, Debbie sits down with IT executive Robert Miller to cut through the AI hype and explore "Agentic AI"—highly focused, specialized tools designed to solve specific campus challenges.

Robert explains why the future lies in Augmented Intelligence, not just artificial intelligence. Using real-world examples from university research to radiology, he breaks down how AI can amplify human expertise rather than replace it, and why the "Human in the Loop" is more critical than ever.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Secret Sauce" for Higher Ed: Moving beyond generalized chatbots to targeted Agentic AI.
• The Augmented Expert: How AI eliminates manual data coding so graduate students and faculty can focus on high-level analysis.
• Mitigating Risk: Why clean data and data professionals are essential to avoid the "Wild West" of unchecked AI adoption.

In this inaugural interview, host Debbie Phelps sits down with Leah Ewing Ross to discuss how the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) supports data professionals at all stages of their careers. They explore AIR's "Data and Decisions Academy," which offers a range of professional development opportunities, from holistic management courses to skills-based workshops for those new to the field.

A major theme of the conversation is data culture. Leah emphasizes that building a data-literate campus goes beyond just the data office; it requires empowering faculty and staff across the institution to use data effectively. They discuss the "Data Literacy Institute," where cross-functional teams from institutions learn together to create a shared language and understanding of data.

The episode also covers advocacy and policy. Leah explains AIR's role in representing the data community in national conversations, including their recent work with the Washington Higher Education Secretariat and their rapid response to new federal requirements like the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS).

Key Takeaways:

• Professional Growth: AIR provides resources for both technical skill-building and leadership development.
• Community & Networking: The importance of finding a network of peers to navigate challenges and share best practices.
• Data Literacy: Strategies for moving data out of silos and making it a shared asset for the entire institution.
• Advocacy: How AIR is advocating for data quality, transparency, and feasibility in national policy discussions.
• Future Outlook: A shared hope for 2026 that the data community will prioritize collaboration and grace over competition.

Welcome to Episode 00, the official kickoff of the Data Stakes podcast! In this brief introduction, host Debbie Phelps sets the stage for our series, sharing our mission to give data a real voice in higher education and what you can expect from the show.

Consider this just the beginning—we have a packed schedule of great episodes coming soon, featuring expert interviews, real-world success stories, and deep dives into institutional research. Subscribe now so you don't miss a single insight!