Telling Your Economic Impact Story with Data (ADDITIONAL FEE/PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED)

Session Abstract: As higher education faces pressure to demonstrate its value, institutions must proactively tell their own stories with data. This workshop equips institutional research professionals to use data they already collect to estimate and communicate their institution’s economic impact. Drawing on practical experience and a real-world case study, participants will learn accessible methods to quantify contributions to local employment, wages, and community vitality. The session emphasizes turning analysis into compelling narratives for legislators, donors, community stakeholders, and internal leadership. With more than half of institutions either lacking an economic impact study or unsure if one was conducted, IR professionals are uniquely positioned to fill this gap. Participants will leave with tools, templates, and a flexible framework to build or enhance their own economic impact story, aligning evidence with strategic messaging to strengthen advocacy, advancement, and planning.

Keywords: Economic Impact Study, Institutional Value, RIMS II Multipliers, IPEDS Data, ArcGIS Mapping