Volume 2 of DataInsider reflects a period of steady growth for IRDS at Ball State. Over the past year, our work has expanded beyond building a baseline, to strengthening the relationships needed to bring data closer to the people who need it, when they need it. To do this, we are strengthening relationships, improving data access, and fostering a shared understanding across campus.
This issue highlights how new systems, access, people, and governance structures came together in year three and four, and how that foundation is shaping what comes next.
Year Three & Four at a Glance
At four years in, IRDS is no longer just focused on building tools These years marked a shift toward strengthening relationships across campus, expanding access to data, and creating shared systems that support better decisions.
230+ Tableau Users
Up to 78
# Of Tableau Views Per Day
60 DLI Graduates
4 Years of Growth
Workforce Insights
IRDS completed the implementation of Workforce Insights, a new Heliocampus module that enhances the analysis of faculty and staff trend data. Beyond the delivered reports, this implementation supports custom reporting through analysis-ready data extracts generated via ETL processes and stored in the data warehouse.
This enables IRDS to support both standardized insights and customized analytics tailored to campus needs. The implementation of Workday has required some rework, but we expect to be back up and running by summer.
Read the full Workforce Insights breakdown on the blog
Key Questions Addressed
Workforce Characteristics
What are the characteristics of my institution's workforce and how has it changed over time?
Employee Trends
What trends and patterns exist for employees across the institutional hierarchy for administrative, executive, and academic staff members?
Staffing Ratios & Retention
How have staffing ratios changed over time? Understanding employee retention by subpopulations or job attributes.
Forecasting
Compare recent hires to the current and past employee populations. Forecasting future needs, budget impact, and services.
D A S H B O A R D S
BSU Analytics
The BSU Analytics dashboard ecosystem continued to grow in year three & four through collaboration with campus partners. New dashboards now support strategic planning, admissions and financial aid, advisor caseloads, admitted students, college transitions, curricula served, Navigate analysis, and more.
To support this expansion, IRDS developed a Tableau landing page that helps users see what dashboards they can access and request additional access when needed.
Discover the full list of dashboards on the blog
BSUAnalyticsDashboardEcosystem
Expanding Through People
Graduate Assistants & Interns
IRDS redeveloped its internship program, bringing in students from the Graduate Certificate Program in Institutional Research at BSU Interns gain real-world experience in a fast-paced IRDS environment, while supporting meaningful institutional work. A graduate assistant now manages IRDS's web presence, including Data Insider and this newsletter.
Data Liaisons
Explorer Program
The Explorer Program leverages analytical expertise already present across campus Explorers receive expanded access to the data warehouse, targeted training, and the ability to develop new Tableau dashboards. We meet regularly to discuss topics in data access, governance, and use.
Data liaisons serve as departmental points of contact for IRDS. These data-savvy users help bridge communication between their units and IRDS by understanding available data, development effort levels, and evolving data needs.
Read more on Data Liaisons on the blog
DLI Program
BSU partnered with the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) to offer an intensive Data Literacy Institute (DLI), running for a full semester with team-based research projects. For more info, see the section on Advisory Groups.
Read more on Data Literacy on the Blog
Tableau Users Group
Approximately 230 users are invited monthly to discuss data governance, literacy, and the data warehouse
Learn Tableau on the blog
AdvisoryGroups
Advisory Groups
By the end of Spring 2025, approximately 60 staff members completed the Data Literacy Institute in partnership with the Association for Institutional Research. To sustain momentum, advisory groups were established to continue the organizing framework and collaboration efforts.
O V E R N A N C E
Data Governance
Strong data governance ensures clarity, consistency, and trust in data. IRDS continues to support governance efforts through MIDAS and its related committees.
MIDAS
MIDAS serves as BSU's primary data management group, with four key subcommittees supporting its work
Data Governance Subcommittee
Defines and approves business terms and report specifications, ensuring consistency across all institutional data products.
Survey Committee
Coordinates institutional surveys and develops survey-related policies, streamlining how data is collected across campus.
Data Warehouse Integration Subcommittee
Coordinates the integration of new data sources into the Data Warehouse The group helps define priorities and makes recommendations to the MIDAS full committee
View the full MIDAS Steering Committee
C E L E B R AT I O N
Celebrating Michael Lane
Michael Lane joined Ball State University in 2022 as Associate VP for Institutional Research and Decision Support. During his time here, he strengthened data-driven decision-making, led innovative initiatives like the Tableau Landing Page and AI Analysis of Navigate Comments, and supported colleagues with guidance, mentorship, and a genuine interest in their growth.
As he retires, Michael is looking forward to visiting every national park and exploring newfound interests like crafting honey mead. We thank him for his leadership, creativity, and the lasting impact he has made on our team.
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn to stay in touch.
Wishing you a fulfilling and adventurous retirement, Michael!
L O O K I N G F O R W A R D
A Look Ahead
Though predictions for the future don't always come true, here are some of the additional, bigger-picture items we'll be trying to add in year 5:
Meet regularly with the Dean's Council & Chairs Professional Development Committee to train them on using data and decision support
Create Data Stories that use a storytelling format in data analysis, starting with section density and course consolidation candidates
Complete a first pass of the 15 to Finish dashboard (including Navigate integration) with University College
Move more of our specifications and business definitions from drafting to approved. Tag more of our dashboards with the Data Rating System
Roll as-of-day reporting for the admissions funnel
Lastly, though it sometimes flies under the radar, continue to execute on our other ongoing projects, incoming tasks, and required reporting (this is about 90%+ of our time, we're generally at capacity)
Volume 2 · Spring 2026
Published by the Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support (IRDS) at Ball State University.
