Data Day

Overview

Data Day

Where: Four Points Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center
1125 Boston Providence Turnpike
Norwood, Massachusetts 
Directions

When: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Registration Fee:
NERCOMP Member
Early-bird rate through 3/22/23: $170 (savings of $30)
Member rate after 3/22/2023: $200

Non-Member
Early-bird rate through 3/22/23:  $255 (savings of $45)
Non-Member rate after 3/22/23: $300

The registration covers the workshop, morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch

Event Overview
Data rules the world. For many organizations that is increasingly true. Data is literally everywhere (up to the point that there is a high risk of drowning in data), also at the management table. The discussion is riddled with buzzwords, ranging from strategic topics (data strategy, data management strategy, data-driven strategy, data-informed strategy) to tech-speak (data lake, data mesh, data fabric, data gravity, AI). This is far from productive and causes much frustration for managers and professionals who want to use data to create value for the organization.

In this session, we will demystify the strategic side of the discussion using a mix of scientific theory (the article What's your data strategy that was published in Harvard Business Review), a heuristic framework (the DAMA DMBOK), and 15+ years of experience with these topics. In the interactive session, we will (1) introduce what data strategy/data management strategy is, (2) present a brief overview of the leading theories in the industry, (3) discuss real-world examples, and (4) try our hand at defining a data strategy/data management strategy ourselves.

Session Outcomes:
 - Help people understand what data strategy and data management strategy is
 - Give people the tools to develop such strategies themselves

Registration Cancellation Policy:
By clicking on the "Register Now" button, you are indicating a commitment to attend and will be held responsible for the registration fee. Your fee can be refunded if you notify us of a cancellation at least 5 business days prior to the event via email to nercomp@nercomp.org.

Event Disclaimer:
NERCOMP reserves the right to use any photographs or other mechanical recordings taken at NERCOMP events in promotional materials. No mechanical recordings of any kind may be used at NERCOMP events without the prior written consent of NERCOMP organizers and presenters. The views and opinions expressed at NERCOMP events do not necessarily reflect those of NERCOMP, nor does NERCOMP make any representation regarding the information presented at NERCOMP events.

Agenda

Data Day Agenda

7.30 am-9:00 am  Registration and Coffee

9.00 am-9:15am  Introduction to the Day

9:15 am-10:15 am  Keynote
Speaker:  Prof. dr. Bas van Gils, Antwerp Management School, and Managing Partner, Strategy-Alliance

10.15 am-10:30 am  Break

10:30am-11:45am  Keynote resumes

11:45 am-12:45 pm  Lunch

12:45 am-1:45 am  What Does it Take to Start a Successful Data Analytics Program (Panel)
Speakers: 
Jeremy Anderson, Assistant Vice President & Dean of Analytics & Technology Transformation, Bay Path University
Christine Lewis Horton,  Associate Director for Institutional Research and Analytics, UMass-Lowell
Edlira Stephefani, Director – Data and Analytics Operations, Bentley University

1:45 pm-2:45 pm Data As Strategy
Danielle Yardy,  Leader Higher Education Strategy, AWS

The explosion of SaaS solutions for education has pulled campus data to the cloud—but it’s siloed, hard to access, and growing faster than ever. Understanding institutional data has never been more important, with student success, business transformation, and sustainability initiatives all gathering pace. In this session, we’ll show how institutions can use data strategy to support institutional strategy and share some of the work that AWS is doing in partnership with NERCOMP to help technical staff on campus develop the skills and capabilities they need to gain confidence and accelerate cloud data maturity.

2:45 pm-3:00 pm  Break

3:00 pm-4:00 pm  Facilitated Working Session 
Concrete steps to take to start/improve your data program on your campus (best group wins copies of Dr. van Gils’ book)

4:00 pm  Closing

Speakers

Jeremy Anderson
Jeremy Anderson is the Vice President of Learning Innovation, Analytics, and Technology at Bay Path University where he creates and executes a vision for coupling digital transformation and data-informed decision-making. Prior to this role, he advanced business intelligence, data governance, and original research pertaining to student success while serving as the inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor of Strategic Analytics at Dallas College. Jeremy has published and presented nationally on applied analytics and teaching and learning innovations. He earned his EdD in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University and holds a bachelor’s in history education and a master’s in educational technology.

Becky Frieden

Becky Frieden is the Senior Director of Enterprise Applications and Decision Support Systems at New York Institute of Technology, where she leads a team of developers, project managers, business and data analysts, and data architects. As a member of the senior IT leadership team, Becky focuses primarily on the management and accessibility of enterprise data to enhance the decision-making power of university officials, and the efficacy of the user experience. To accomplish this work, Becky works closely with both internal and external stakeholders of all contact levels of the institution.  Becky takes great pride in the trust-based relationships she has established within her institution, with colleagues at other institutions, and with her vendor partners. She has led many cross-functional, enterprise-level projects that have improved the value and efficiency of many administrative processes.  Prior to her current role at NYIT, she was a Director of Administrative Information Services at Clark University in Worcester, MA.

Becky deeply values and is an active leader in several professional organizations. Becky is a NERCOMP Managers Series alumnus, and is currently serving on the NERCOMP Market Research Task Force. She has also served on the Ellucian Preferred Name Task Force; the Ellucian Committee on Algorithmic Packaging for Banner; and the Massachusetts Education Finance Authority (MEFA)’s Advisory Board. As an active member of the Northeast Directors of Administrative Computing (NEDAC) and New England Banner Users’ group (NEBUG).  Becky has organized and presented at several regional conferences including a NEDAC conference on the future of ERPs; and several of the NEBUG annual meetings. She is also active with several of NERCOMP’s Communities of Practice, and the Society of Information Managers (SIM) Boston chapter. Becky enjoys seeing her staff grow professionally - as such, she has sent her team to many NERCOMP professional development opportunities including the New Horizons PMP course.

Becky has a BS in Finance from Boston College and an MBA from Clark University.  She is also an alumnus of the Center for Creative Leadership’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) and has completed several graduate-level courses at Babson College. In addition to her administrative role at NYIT, she is also an active professor in the MBA and MSBA programs at Clark University and serves on the curriculum committee for the MS in Business Analytics program. Becky’s work in IT coupled with her passion for education has also led to many activities that focus on exposing young women to careers in IT or the IT industry.

Christine Lewis-Horton

Christine leads an experienced team that possess strengths in research methodology, statistical analyses, survey design and evaluation methods, data architecture, data management, data analytics and visualizations. Her role is to provide information for campus leadership to make data-informed strategic decisions.

Joining UMass Lowell as a Research Data Analyst in 2012, Christine brought with her higher education experience in institutional research, career services, academic advising, campus operations, and program administration for a study abroad group in Lyon, France.

Additionally, she brings experience from other sectors having worked in management training programs and various customer service roles. Her background is rooted in I/O psychology with her research focusing on occupational stress and burnout.

Her interests include examining the holistic experience of various populations of the University, striving to support a data-informed campus, and building a culture of evidence and community of practice. She holds an affinity for the arts, especially in contemporary dance and classical music, along with a deep appreciation for mindfulness and well-being practices.

Edlira Stefani

Edlira Stefani is the Director of Data Analytics Operations at Bentley University. Edlira and her team are designing, implementing, and maintaining a data ecosystem architecture that supports a wide range of enterprise analytics. Edlira has extensive experience in data management, business intelligence, and data analytics, as well as leading multiple teams in developing, implementing, and managing Enterprise Data Management technologies. She teaches the Data Engineering Course for Clark University's Master of Science in Data Analytics Program and is an active member of NERCOMP and EDUCAUSE.

Bas van Gils

Bas is a driven and experienced consultant, trainer, and researcher in the field of digital transformation. He is a professor at Antwerp Management School, which is where his academic work is rooted. He is involved in courses with a broad range of topics, including architecture and data management. Bas frequently publishes both academic and professional papers and books. He is a frequent speaker at conferences. 

He is also a managing partner at Strategy Alliance, which is also the home for his consulting activities. In the last few years, he has helped professionals and organizations in realizing their digital aspirations: from strategy to realization. The core disciplines in his work are (1) digital transformation, (2) enterprise architecture, and (3) data management. His motto is: in an increasingly digital world, you have to put the people first. He has worked in different industries, both in Europe and the United States as a teacher and consultant.

It is increasingly apparent that data is one of the key assets for many organizations. The corollary is that data management is becoming more and more important. Bas has helped many organizations in their journey to become more data-driven. These projects cover a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from data management processes, organization structures (CDO Office), and training of professionals. The key is to get just enough grip on data in order to create value with data. Recently, Bas published his experiences in this field with a book: data management – a gentle introduction. This book covers both the theory and practice of this exciting field.

Danielle Yardy

Danielle Yardy is a leader in the AWS Higher Education Strategy team in the US, where she focuses on enabling colleges and universities to turn their vast amounts of data into wisdom that impacts student outcomes and institutional missions. Danielle holds a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature and spent time lecturing in the UK before moving into the world of technology and higher education innovation.

Lodging

Hotel Information:

Rooms are available at the Sheraton Norwood, the conference location.
To make reservations contact the Sheraton Norwood at 781-769-7900 and request the "NERCOMP Room Block".

The room block for May 2, 2023, will be available until 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 2, 2023.
Standard guest rooms are available for $155 per night, without breakfast.
Deluxe Double Queen guest rooms are available for $175 per night, without breakfast.
Breakfast is available for $18.95 per person