Session Abstract: Colleges and universities are generating more data than ever, but more data doesn’t always translate into better decisions. Many institutions still struggle to turn fragmented, inconsistent information into insight that staff—or AI tools—can actually use. Unclear ownership, limited data governance, and a growing reporting burden all delay decisions and make it difficult for leaders outside of IT, IR, and Institutional Effectiveness to make full use of campus data. Intentional data governance can help institutions improve data quality, clarify ownership, prepare for AI adoption, and enable more confident decision-making across campus. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how institutions are inspiring staff across the data lifecycle to embrace their role as data leaders. We’ll also discuss common barriers to data-informed decision-making and learn key principles for strengthening data governance as a shared leadership practice.”