Reynolds Researcher Earns Presidential Scholarship

Is information fun? Fortunately, for Ryan Johnson, it seems to be. Johnson joined the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at Reynolds inwards 2013 every bit a senior question analyst dedicated to providing clear, accurate, in addition to accessible information to the establishment in addition to its conclusion makers. And during his curt tenure alongside Reynolds he’s done but that. Recently, Johnson became but the sixth Virginia community college question professional person to earn the prestigious Data in addition to Decisions Academy Presidential Scholarship from the Association for Institutional Research (AIR).

The presidential scholarship requires a meaning investment of time, completion of assignments, in addition to interaction alongside mentors. Specifically, Johnson completed modules in addition to sixty contact hours for 2 courses that focused on longitudinal analysis in addition to learning outcomes. Longitudinal analysis, the written report of curt serial of observations obtained from many respondents over time, is increasingly of import for colleges. According to Johnson, “If  you aspect at a laid upwards of students over fourth dimension you’re able to acquire a bigger painting demo of our college in addition to how students’ progress to their educational goals.”

Learning outcomes are to a greater extent than or less other question focus area, specially at community colleges. Understanding how to mensurate in addition to analyze educatee learning outcomes provides faculty alongside critical information regarding teaching strategies in addition to learning, which benefits both students in addition to the college. Johnson notes that “data are used to inform in addition to evaluate decisions.” Identifying what factors behavior on a student’s might to consummate a technical plan in addition to secure a job, or earn a marking in addition to transfer to a four-year university, provides crucial information to conclusion makers at dissimilar levels. He likewise says “Sometimes conclusion makers involve a snapshot of what Reynolds looks similar correct directly spell other times they involve to a greater extent than specific information that shows changes or trends over time.”

Data-informed decision-making has been on the ascent across the instruction manufacture in addition to Johnson expects the tendency to continue: “Data accept been used to inform a describe organisation how it volition modify over time. You’re directly seeing many higher instruction institutions adopt this describe organisation mindset – leaders are to a greater extent than focused on the might of data.”

Fortunately for Reynolds, Johnson in addition to his colleagues inwards the Office of Institutional Effectiveness stand upwards own to attention the establishment unleash that might to advance educatee success.

Ryan Johnson alongside doc Gary Rhodes, president of Reynolds