Half Day Pre-Conference Workshop - Putting AI to Work: Intermediate and Advanced Applications for IR Professionals (October 22, 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Putting AI to Work: Intermediate and Advanced Applications for IR Professionals

Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 1:00–5:00 PM

Mount Vernon Grand Hotel, 12 Public Square, Mt Vernon, OH 43050

Generative AI has evolved astonishingly fast, and the question for institutional research is no longer whether it belongs in our work but how far we want to take it. This is not a beginner's session. If you've already experimented with AI and want to go deeper, this session is for you.

We'll spend our time on intermediate and advanced IR use cases, focused on what today's tools can do. That includes automations, AI agents, and other newer "agentic" features that let AI carry out real work alongside you. You'll also see how to run effective "Cowork sessions" in Claude while modeling responsible, appropriate AI use for the rest of your campus.

We'll move through a range of real examples: accessibility-compliant document conversions, technical assistance and troubleshooting, survey development, operational calendars, training datasets, data analysis, interactive dashboards and KPI scorecards, app development, automation workflows, API calls, coding, and – perhaps most importantly – the “under the hood” setups proven to get much better output from AI. And there's more where that came from. We'll also get hands-on with an interactive AI dashboard/artifact competition, leave time for discussion, and close with a bigger conversation about where we believe Gen AI is headed.

Ready or not, AI is here, which puts the political, security, and enablement questions front and center for IR professionals. We'll also make the case that AI isn't coming for your job. Used well, it takes the busy work off your team's plate and gives you room to think more deeply, collaborate more effectively both internally and cross-functionally, and embark upon other important projects, process improvements and value-add opportunities.

Come curious, and maybe a little competitive. We think you'll walk away with something you can take back to your institution and put to use right away!

Presenters:

Bryce A. Cain, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment – Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Dan Wilson, AVP for AI & Data Analytics – Muskingum University

COST:

Member = $25.00
(plus annual OAIRP membership $20.00 a year, July 1 - June 30)

Non-Member = $55.00
(or you can become a member for only $20.00 a year, then register for the event for only $25)

AMENITIES:

Parking Instructions: Parking is FREE
Wireless Internet: guest network, no password required

Conference Hotel

A special OAIRP room block has been reserved at The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel, conveniently located in downtown Mount Vernon and serving as the location for the Thursday pre-conference session and Friday keynote.

The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel
12 Public Square
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Phone: 844-700-1717

OAIRP Conference Rate: $112 per night + tax

Standard King: $112/night
Double Queen: $112/night

Reservation Deadline: Thursday, October 8, 2026

To reserve your room, call 844-700-1717 and reference the OAIRP group block to receive the discounted conference rate.

Attendees are encouraged to reserve early to ensure availability at the conference rate and help OAIRP meet our contracted room-block commitment.

Fall 2026 Conference (October 23, 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

OAIRP

Fall 2026 Conference

Connecting the Pieces:

Collaboration for the Win

October 23, 2026 | Mount Vernon, Ohio

The Ohio Association for Institutional Research and Planning (OAIRP) invites you to join colleagues from across Ohio for our in-person Fall 2026 Conference on Friday, October 23, in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Building on the theme introduced at our Spring 2026 Conference, Connecting the Pieces: Collaboration for the Win, this fall's conference will continue exploring how collaboration strengthens institutional research, planning, assessment, analytics, and decision support across our institutions.

Together, we'll share practical strategies, explore emerging challenges, learn from one another, and strengthen the connections that help turn data into insight, insight into action, and collaboration into impact.

Conference Details

Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
Location: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Format: In Person

Two Locations, One Conference Day

We'll begin our Friday conference together at The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel, where attendees will gather for the morning program, our keynote presentation featuring Kimberly A. Moore, and lunch.

Following lunch, we'll transition to Hunter Hall at Mount Vernon Nazarene University for an afternoon of breakout sessions, presentations, and conversations with colleagues.

Additional information about parking and the transition between locations will be provided to registered attendees prior to the conference.

What to Expect

The Fall 2026 Conference will bring together institutional research and higher education professionals for a full day of learning, discussion, collaboration, and connection.

Attendees can look forward to:

An engaging keynote presentation
Practitioner-led presentations and case studies
Panel and roundtable discussions
Conversations about emerging issues in institutional research and higher education
Opportunities to exchange ideas and practical strategies with colleagues
Networking with IR, assessment, planning, analytics, and institutional effectiveness professionals from across Ohio

Coming to Mount Vernon Early?

Join us on Thursday, October 22 for the OAIRP Fall 2026 Pre-Conference Workshop.

The pre-conference is a separate event and requires separate registration.

[Learn more and register for the Fall 2026 Pre-Conference →]

We’re excited to announce Kimberly A. Moore, Vice President, Student Affairs and Chief Student Success Officer at Xavier University, as the keynote speaker for the OAIRP Fall 2026 Conference: Connecting the Pieces - Collaboration for the Win!

Keynote Speaker Kimberly A. Moore

Vice President, Student Affairs and Chief Student Success Officer
Xavier University

We're excited to welcome Kimberly A. Moore as the keynote speaker for the OAIRP Fall 2026 Conference!

Kimberly is a nationally recognized leader in student success and a passionate advocate for student-centered practices in higher education. Her perspective on influence, leadership, and creating meaningful change makes for an especially fitting conversation as we come together this fall to explore the connections, collaborations, and ideas that strengthen our work across higher education.

Kimberly is also a featured author in NASPA's In the Middle: Leading as a Mid-Level Professional in Student Affairs, contributing Chapter 2, “Politics in Practice: Leveraging Influence for Meaningful Change as a Mid-Level Professional.”

Read Kimberly's Featured Chapter

Want to dig deeper into Kimberly's work before the conference?

NASPA is offering OAIRP attendees 20% off In the Middle: Leading as a Mid-Level Professional in Student Affairs.

OAIRP Discount Code: OAIRP20
Valid through: October 31, 2026

We’re looking forward to welcoming Kimberly and the OAIRP community to Mount Vernon for a day of learning, connection, and collaboration.

Come connect the pieces with us!

Hotel Accommodations

The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel

OAIRP has reserved a discounted room block for conference attendees at The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel.

The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel
12 Public Square
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Phone: 844-700-1717

OAIRP Conference Rate

$112 per night + applicable taxes

Standard King and Double Queen rooms are available at the conference rate.

Reservation Deadline

Thursday, October 8, 2026

How to Book

To receive the discounted conference rate, call The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel at 844-700-1717 and reference the group block “OAIRP” when making your reservation.

Attendees are encouraged to reserve rooms early, as availability within the conference block is limited.

Bonus: Friday's conference begins right at the hotel! Our morning program, keynote presentation, and lunch will all take place at The Mount Vernon Grand before we transition to Mount Vernon Nazarene University for the afternoon program.

Photography, Video, and Audio Notice

Photography, video recording, and audio recording may occur during the OAIRP Fall 2026 Conference. Attendees should be aware that their image, likeness, or voice may be captured during conference activities.

Photographs, video, and audio recordings from the conference may be used by the Ohio Association for Institutional Research and Planning (OAIRP) for organizational purposes, including:

OAIRP promotional and informational materials
Social media platforms and educational resources
OAIRP websites and future event marketing
Print and digital publications

Attendees who prefer not to be photographed or recorded, or who do not want their name, image, or likeness used in OAIRP materials, may indicate this preference during conference registration. OAIRP will use reasonable efforts to honor these preferences in conference print materials, conference photography, and the selection of materials for publication.

Conference attendees are also encouraged to notify an OAIRP Executive Committee member or event photographer if they do not wish to be photographed or recorded.

Conference photographs, video, and audio recordings may be used without financial compensation or royalties to attendees.

OAIRP upcoming events