Director of Policy & Research Independent Colleges of Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Session Abstract: What happens when a state tells every qualified student: You already belong in college? This session explores Idaho’s bold direct admissions policy and its impact on enrollment, retention, and completion over more than a decade. Using longitudinal IPEDS data, we analyze whether this access-driven reform produced lasting gains or simply shifted students across sectors. Findings highlight significant equity gains at two-year colleges and among historically underrepresented students, alongside limits when advising, aid transparency, and institutional capacity lagged. Attendees will engage with a custom IPEDS dashboard designed to make policy effects visible, learn how to leverage federal data for policy evaluation, and consider what conditions allow direct admissions to drive true attainment. Whether you are an institutional researcher seeking analytic tools or a policymaker weighing reform, this session connects data, policy, and practice to inform next steps.
Keywords: Direct Admissions, IPEDS, College Completion, Power BI Dashboard, College Access
