ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some insights into the challenges facing student affairs leaders as consumers of data. It deals with a description of student affairs positions before discussing difficult components of the position, which serves as an important backdrop to discuss data issues and strategies. The chapter addresses key points that people want data people to know in order to help move the student success and institutional-effectiveness needle. The most challenging aspect of managing a department of student affairs may very well be figuring out the right services, programs, or interventions to provide at the right time and to the right students. Changing student demographics is one of the top issues of concern cited by chief student affairs officers in a survey. The last thing anyone wants to do is make a decision based on faulty information. Upon receiving a report, leaders immediately look at the numbers and begin digesting the information.
