Data is important for institutions.  Having accurate, dynamic data can serve as both information and a tool.  MSIs must be diligent in gathering data that can be used to make institutional decisions, to attract funders, and to communicate their stories of success.  Though most MSIs must gather data for state and federal funding, there are ways and manners in which they can go further in their data collection methods.

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MSIs can build on the strength of their data by finding ways to expand the ways they measure student success and progress.  Though graduation rates are the usual data set used to measure institutional effectiveness, they do not always tell the full story of MSIs. Gathering data incrementally and at interim points of students give a fuller story to the actual work and success of MSIs.  The following are interim points that MSIs should consider measuring:

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• Placement

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• Persistence

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• Progression towards credential

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• Completion

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Leaders of MSIs must commit to the task of expanding and accurately collecting data.  MSIs that have dedicated institutional resources to the collection and analyses of data are able to make more informed institutional policies and practices. These data collection efforts allow for collaboration between MSIs who have similar or complimentary goals.  MSIs will also be able to use this data to educate and inform external stakeholders of their successes.  MSIs can lead the way in showing that gathering institutional data for decision making and not just for compliance. 

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Dedicating resources for gathering data include implementing processes to ensure data quality.  MSIs sometimes have data on student success, but not in a systematic manner that ensures that data is accessible and credible.  MSIs must implement data systems and processes to ensure data quality and internal data analysis. MSIs foster success in a number of students of color, many of which are low income and first generation college students.  More needs to be understood about how and what is happening at these institutions to promote such success.  By dedicating themselves to gathering strong, quality data MSIs can do this and much more.