From Information to Impact

How Dallas College is Building a Culture of Data-Informed Improvement

Friday, March 27

12 p.m. EDT | 11 a.m. CDT | 10 a.m. MDT | 9 a.m. PDT

Higher education leaders are facing increasing pressure to improve outcomes, align strategic initiatives, and make decisions with greater clarity and speed. Building a culture where information is actively used to guide improvement is no longer optional—it is essential.

Dallas College, one of the largest community college systems in the United States, has taken a proactive approach to creating a data-informed culture that supports improvement across its seven campuses. In this conversation, Dr. Justin Lonon, Chancellor, and Dr. Greg Morris, Senior Vice Provost of Academic Services, will share how Dallas College is aligning strategic initiatives, quality enhancement planning, and leadership visibility to accelerate institutional improvement.

As colleges and universities across the country respond to growing state and federal emphasis on outcomes, accountability, and data-informed improvement, this session will explore why sustaining momentum around institutional improvement is so critical. Using Dallas College’s work within the Texas policy environment as one example, speakers will also discuss how building a strong culture of improvement can support long-term innovation, including the development and sustainability of mediated programs for Workforce Pell.

Drawing from their experience bringing together campuses with distinct histories and cultures, they will discuss how Dallas College is:

• Aligning multiple strategic initiatives under a shared improvement framework
• Using data storytelling to support leadership decision-making
• Creating visibility for the Chancellor and cabinet across the institution
• Sharing effective practices across campuses to strengthen outcomes
• Building support among faculty and staff for a culture of continuous improvement

Moderated by Brent Ruben, Ph.D., this session will also explore the challenges Dallas College encountered in introducing this work, how those challenges were addressed, the most significant successes achieved so far, and the lessons learned along the way. Attendees will leave with practical insights into the leadership, alignment, and cultural factors most essential to sustaining institution-wide improvement.