Florida State University began a new collaboration among faculty and staff with its first-ever Data Day, a one-day conference hosted by the Office of Institutional Research and sponsored by the Office of the Provost.
The new event provided attendees with insightful talks, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, empowering participants with data literacy and strategies to harness its transformative power.
“FSU Data Day is more than just a conference; it’s a declaration of intent,” said Associate Vice Provost and Chief Data and Analytics Officer James Hunt. “We are here because we believe in a bold vision to make Florida State University the most data-engaged campus in the country — and that means more than just producing reports or tracking metrics. It means creating a culture where data is trusted, used and shared. Where it sparks insights, drives collaboration and ultimately helps us serve our students and our community better.”
FSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark emphasized the power that data brings in fostering collaboration and innovation by bridging institutions and driving meaningful partnerships, as reflected in the attendance of key stakeholders at the conference, including representatives from the Florida Board of Governors, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College.
“The great part about data is that it allows us to have partnerships and relationships across universities because when you’re working at this level, it’s not politics, it’s not ideology, it’s about understanding what’s going on in the world and understanding what’s going on at institutions,” Clark said.
With 20 workshops, talks and discussions to choose from, participants spent the day exploring how data is reshaping strategic priorities and improving operational efficiency across the university.
Senior Vice Provost and Chief Strategy Officer Rick Burnette emphasized how data analytics can drive meaningful outcomes, aligning with FSU’s vision of fostering innovative, data-engaged strategies.
“This data-engaged culture is the strategic compass guiding us toward smarter decisions and greater impact,” Burnette said. “At FSU, we have a 30-year track record of turning insights into action, aligning innovation with our mission to lead in higher education.”
Throughout the conference, departments and individuals from across campus delivered engaging presentations that showcased the powerful role of data in advancing research and academic excellence.
Attendees explored how insights from data are shaping the university—from understanding the measurable impacts of data on institutional growth to recognizing the critical importance of numbers in driving informed decisions and innovation.
“What stood out at Data Day 2025 was how data is being used to strengthen the work we do behind the scenes,” said Aakeem Bennett, a financial analyst in the Sponsored Research Administration. “The sessions highlighted how many tools and resources we have at FSU. It’s empowering to see how FSU faculty and staff are using these tools to improve their day-to-day work — ultimately helping departments across campus operate more effectively.”
Heather Epstein-Diaz, program director of the Office of Institutional Research and lead organizer of the event, highlighted the uplifting learning environment the conference provided and the enthusiasm for continuing the tradition with future Data Day Conferences.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support and participation from the university that made this year’s Data Day Conference such a remarkable success,” Epstein-Diaz said. “The enthusiasm we saw has us excited to carry this momentum forward and continue growing the tradition in future conferences.”
The 2025 Data Day featured speakers and representatives from the following departments and units:
- Margarida Phelan, Advising First
- Ameya Kolarkar, Center for the Advancement of Teaching
- Matthew Vanden Bosch, College of Criminology & Criminal Justice
- William Hogan, College of Social Sciences & Public Policy
- Chris Mills, Department of Computer Science
- Mark Slik, Enrollment Management
- Freddy Juarez, Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Jarred Pernier, Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Brittany Devies, Fraternity & Sorority Life; and Center of Fraternity & Sorority Organizational Wellness
- Beatriz Mejia-Mercado, Coastal and Marine Lab
- Andrew Bucior, Information Technology Services
- Sathish Sundaramoorthy, Information Technology Services
- Caitlyn Jessee, Institutional Performance & Assessment
- Galiya Tabulda, Institutional Performance & Assessment
- Daljit Kaur Chhina, Institutional Research
- Dinara Ibrayeva, Institutional Research
- Lee Howell, Institutional Research
- Logan Poland, Institutional Research
- Emily Kennelly, Office of Human Resources
- Devin White, Proactive Referral & Engagement
- JJ Jerez, Proactive Referral & Engagement
- Lia O’Malley, Proactive Referral & Engagement
- Ra’Miaya Battles, Proactive Referral & Engagement
- Samantha Tackett, Proactive Referral & Engagement
- Selena Ortiz, Proactive Referral & Engagement
- Garrett Gouveia, Stavros Center for Economic Education
- Elyse Budkie, Undergraduate Studies; Department of Mathematics
- Emily Bowlin, University Libraries
- James Waters, University Libraries
For more information about the Office of Institutional Research, visit ir.fsu.edu. To learn more about the 2025 Data Day Conference, visit data.fsu.edu.