Harvard University Selects Two Outstanding Fellows for Strategic Data Project at Minority Serving Institutions

Charla Orozco and Alejandra Villalobos Melendez from the University of New Mexico (UNM) have been chosen as Strategic Data Project fellows through a program by Harvard’s Center for Education Policy Research. This initiative aims to enhance how data is used in education, ultimately boosting student success.

The fellowship will begin at the end of July. Orozco and Villalobos will attend an orientation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where they’ll connect with peers from various schools. Orozco, who became the director of the Office of Institutional Analytics (OIA) in January, believes this experience aligns with her goal of improving data governance and accessibility at UNM.

OIA is crucial for UNM, as it serves as the main source for data reporting, including federal compliance and internal analytics. Orozco plans to share insights gained from the fellowship to enhance data transparency and improve how the campus community accesses information.

Villalobos Melendez will represent UNM-Taos in the fellowship. She expressed her excitement about networking with data experts committed to leveraging data for better educational outcomes. Her focus will be on analyzing data related to Indigenous students in northern New Mexico. She aims to investigate enrollment trends and support systems to foster student success.

Both Orozco and Villalobos Melendez are dedicated to using what they learn to create impactful strategies that will benefit the UNM community. This experience comes at a time when educational institutions everywhere are looking to make better use of data.

Data usage in education has increased dramatically in recent years. According to a 2022 survey by Educause, 68% of universities wanted to improve their data analysis capabilities to drive decisions and enhance student experiences. This trend highlights the importance of Orozco and Villalobos’s work.

They’re not alone in their efforts. Other institutions in the fellowship include California State University, San Bernardino, and Morehouse College, all committed to improving data practices. These collaborations can lead to sharing best practices that drive meaningful change in higher education.

For more insights, you can check the Center for Education Policy Research.

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