There’s a wealth of data available to help academic leaders lead their units, but making sense of it can be overwhelming. Institutional research staff can help leaders ask the right questions and get at the most relevant data for a particular issue. In an interview with Academic Leader, Ricky Tompkins, assistant vice president for research and planning at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, offered his insights on how to work with institutional research staff to use data effectively to make decisions.
How Leaders Shape, Signal, and Build Cultures: A Discussion Guide for Academic Leaders and Their Teams
Among the many desired traits most prized in academic leadership, the ability to shape (or reshape) institutional culture is sometimes overlooked in favor of fiscal acumen, the ability to drive
Lisa Jasinski
May 4, 2026