Increasing data literacy is an ongoing effort. During our September 2024 gathering, we shared resources to enhance attendees’ data literacy expertise and ideas to improve colleagues’ understanding.
Lisa Johnson, Director of Data Governance, and Jeffrey Micheal Thomas (JT), Learning Program Manager with OHR’s Professional Development unit, spread the word about the new, institution-wide learning experience, Data@UW- Data Governance and Responsible Use. While sharing a preview of the online course, they:
- Engaged us in a discussion about types of institutional data encountered across UW-Madison worksites
- Shared easy steps to take to protect and responsibly use institutional data
- Asked us to share this learning resource with others in our schools, colleges, and administrative units
- Explained how to register and access the course from DAPIR’s Data Literacy and Training web page.
In less than 30 minutes, you and your colleagues can learn crucial steps to protect our institution’s data, including social security numbers, benefits elections, financial data, cybersecurity information, student records, and more.
Sara Hagen, Academic Planner and Data Analyst at the College of Engineering (CoE), discussed how she co-leads the CoE Data Governance Working Group.
The group focuses on helping CoE faculty and staff find, interpret, and communicate about data.
With leadership’s support, the group has set meaningful goals:
- Assist with data literacy and usage training for college faculty and staff
- Consult on an as-needed basis for specific CoE projects
- Provide resources for aligning data use to institutional data policy and standards
- Support more efficient data workflows
The group has focused on two initial initiatives: a newsletter for CoE employees (view a sample) and developing data-use-focused onboarding and offboarding processes. This includes
- Ensuring new staff know who can help them with data questions
- Encouraging new staff to complete FERPA training from the Registrar’s Office
- Encouraging new staff to complete Data@UW, which introduces employees to institutional data governance and their responsibilities