This page provides references to selected national, consortia, and regional presentations as well as peer-reviewed publications carried out by the Office of Research Administration (ORA) staff. Contact the appropriate ORA staff member for further information.
The Forum, the annual conference for the Association for Institutional Research, is the world's largest gathering of higher education professionals in institutional research, effectiveness, assessment, planning and related fields.
McKinley, K., Miller, B., Broughton, J. & Hubbard Jackson, C. (2021, May). Join the Equity Walk: How IR Can Advance DEI [Impact Session]. Association for Institutional Research Virtual Forum 2021.
Lawrence was one of three private liberal arts colleges selected to participate in one of four impact sessions at the forum.
Kinzie, J. McKinley, K., Nicholas, J., Palmer, D., & Silberstein, S. (2021, May). Data for Decision-Making: Inclusion & Engagement with Cultural Diversity [On-demand Session]. Association for Institutional Research Virtual Forum 2021.
A year fraught with political and racial tension and the complexities of a global pandemic, has made us keenly aware of the need for institutional agents to create safer and supportive environments for racially and ethnically minoritized students. One needed emphasis on campus is to better connect data on diversity, equity and inclusion and decision making. The session explores how a dozen colleges and universities with data from the Inclusiveness and Engagement with Cultural Diversity (ICD), a topical module administered by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), have paired their results with other student information and institutional results to inform their decision making towards creating more equitable campus experiences. Specifically, this panel brings together scholars and practitioners committed to racial equity to discuss the ways in which national survey data can be utilized to guide and create change on college campuses.
Fortner, M., Abbey, C., Froslid Jones, K. McKinley, K., Miller, B., Urmenata, M., & Wentz, M. (2021, March). Ensuring AIR Supports Equity and Inclusion: A recommendation from the 2020-21 Nominations & Elections Committee. Association for Institutional Research (AIR) Board of Directors Virtual Meeting.
Since the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) published its statement on racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death, this year’s Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) completed its work—presenting a slate of qualified candidates for leadership—while the country grappled with unraveling systemic racism woven into the very fabric of our institutions and systems. As such, we could not help but address issues that potentially sustain inequity in AIR’s leadership. This committee’s job is to select future leaders, and it is imperative that those potential leaders remain as committed to equity as we are in this moment. To that end, we must address the structures and policies that make it more difficult to slate and elect diverse candidates. The NEC made four recommendations to the AIR Board of Directors to ensure AIR supports equity and inclusion.
McKinley, K. & Dunnagan, S. (2020, June 29 - July 1). SUCCESSion Planning [Simulated-Live Session]. Association for Institutional Research Virtual Forum 2020.
The first-ever all-digital conference for champions of data-informed decision making in higher education. A limited number (12 to be exact) of speaker or panel sessions were selected from among the top-rated sessions to be presented as simulated-live sessions (pre-recorded session with a live Q&A chat).
McKinley, K., Miller, B., & Robinson, G. (2020, June 29 - July 1). Advocating for Student Success Through Data-Informed Decision Support [Simulated-Live Session]. Association for Institutional Research Virtual Forum 2020.
The first-ever all-digital conference for champions of data-informed decision making in higher education. A limited number (12 to be exact) of speaker or panel sessions were selected from among the top-rated sessions to be presented as simulated-live sessions (pre-recorded session with a live Q&A chat).
McKinley, K. & Dunnagan, S. (2020, May). SUCCESSion Planning [Speaker Session]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2020, New Orleans, LA. [The in-person AIR Forum was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic; therefore this presentation could not be given as intended. It was selected for inclusion in the AIR Virtual Forum 2020].
McKinley, K., Miller, B., & Robinson, G. (2020, May). Advocating for Student Success Through Data-Informed Decision Support [Speaker Session]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2020, New Orleans, LA. [The in-person AIR Forum was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic; therefore this presentation could not be given as intended. It was selected for inclusion in the AIR Virtual Forum 2020].
McKinley, K. (2019, May). The Lifeline Project: Suicide Prevention at Lawrence University [Poster presentation]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2019, Denver, CO.
McKinley, K. & Miller, B. (2019, May). Accreditation 101: A Survival Guide for the HLC Open Pathway [Discussion group]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2019, Denver, CO.
Coughlin, M.A. & McKinley, K. (2019, May). 1st Time @ Forum Session. [Invited panelists: What AIR Membership Means to Me]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2019, Denver, CO.
McKinley, K., Bringas, A., Cubarrubia, A., Johnson, G., & Le, M. (2018, May). Institutional Researchers as Change Agents [Invited panelist for Impact Session and selected as Digital Pass session]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2018, Orlando, FL.
Lawrence was one of three liberal arts colleges represented in one of eight Impact Sessions.
McKinley, K., Cubarrubia, A., Le, M., Massa, T., Rivera, J., Farfan, E., & Johnson, G. (2017, May). IR’s Role in Organizational Diversity and Inclusion Conversations [Invited panelist for Impact Session and one of six Digital Pass featured sessions]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2017, Washington D.C.
Lawrence was one of four liberal arts colleges represented in one of eight Impact Sessions.
McKinley, K. (2017, May). Diversity Matters: Using Data to Facilitate Change and Foster Conversations [Poster presentation]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2017, Washington D.C.
McKinley, K. (2017, May). National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Auxiliary Meeting [Invited to share how Lawrence uses NSSE data]. Association for Institutional Research Forum 2017, Washington D.C.
McKinley, K., Miller, B., & Peters, E. (2021, January 22). We are all in this together: Successful collaborations with Institutional Research. Association of American Colleges and Universities 2021 Annual Meeting (Virtual Meeting due to COVID-19 pandemic).
Fewer than 35% of submitted proposals were accepted. "The proposals selected represent the work of faculty members, administrators, and higher education leaders at colleges, community colleges, universities, and educational organizations across the country." (AAC&U)
Reflection and redesign: Developing and using a course redesign development framework focused on inclusive excellence. Stefan Debbert(1); Jedidiah Rex(2); Roslyn Theisen(3); Kristin McKinley(3); Shannon Newman(4); Elizabeth De Stasio(4). 2020 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. Abstract accepted March 31, 2020. Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education was terminated on April 2, 2020, by the Executive Committee of the Division of Chemical Education, American Chemical Society; and, therefore, this presentation could not be given as intended.
Buenzli, E. & McKinley, K. (2018, January). It's On Us: Acting on the HEDS Sexual Assault Survey Data [Poster presentation]. 2018 NASPA Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Conference: A NASPA Strategies Conference, Portland, OR.
McKinley, K. (2014, July). Infrastructure Development as a Sustainable Strategy for Suicide Prevention [Invited webinar panelist]. Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
McKinley, K. (2012, April). Lifeline [Poster presentation including tri-fold brochure*]. SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith National Grantee Meeting Networking Fair, Baltimore, MD.
*Brochure was shared with Lawrence University President, Board of Trustees, Development, and campus. It was also disseminated to community stakeholders. The brochure was uploaded to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) Private Pages for Campus Grantees after it was shared with state, tribal, and campus grantees at the SAMHSA/GLS National Grantee Meeting, Baltimore, MD (April 2012) in a panel discussion on Collaborating With Your Local Community led by Fuchs, K., Deobil, A., & Waubanascum, C.
McKinley, K. (2011, January). Lifeline [Poster presentation including Fact Sheet*]. SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith National Grantee Meeting Networking Fair, Bethesda, MD.
*Fact Sheet was shared with Lawrence University President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees; requested for use by Development & Alumni Relations.
McKinley, K. & Lawrence Communications Dept. (2010, February). SPEAKS Poster [Poster* included in PowerPoint presentation during final Plenary Session]. SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith National Grantee Meeting, Orlando, FL.
*ICF Macro requested our poster for advertising purposes. The poster was uploaded to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) Private Pages for Campus Grantees.
McKinley, K. & Dunnagan, S. (2021, February 3). Assessing and Enhancing the Student Experience with Data [Virtual webinar (facilitated discussion following pre-recorded presentation) hosted by board members]. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium.
McKinley, K., Dalenberg, D., Jamison, T., & Palcisco, A. (2019, June). Making Networking Work for You [Organized panel discussion; selected as one of only four plenary sessions at the conference]. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Annual Conference, Asheville, NC.
McKinley, K. & Miller, B. (2019, June). Well-Being and Self-Care in IR Professionals ["Data and Dessert" roundtable discussion]. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Annual Conference, Asheville, NC.
McKinley, K. & Haurykiewicz, J. (2018, June). The Lifeline Project: Suicide Prevention at Lawrence University. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Annual Conference, Spokane, WA.
McKinley, K. & Privatt, K. (2017, June). Staging Data: Transforming Data into Theatrical Performances [Organized presentation; featured presentation in registration materials]. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH.
McKinley, K. & Buenzli, E. (2017, June). It's On Us: Acting on the HEDS Sexual Assault Survey Data [Poster presentation]. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH.
McKinley, K. (2017, June). General Campus Climate Surveys [Invited facilitator for "Data and Dessert" roundtable discussion]. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH.
McKinley, K., Peters, E., Fergerson, J., Trosset, C., Stiles, R., & Rivera, J. (2016, June). Diversity Matters! The Role of Institutional Research (IR) and Data in Diversity and Inclusion [Organized panel discussion; featured as conference highlight]. Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Annual Conference, Asheville, NC.
McKinley, K. & Boyd, S. (2016, March). HEDS Sexual Assault Campus Climate Survey [Invited co-facilitator for roundtable discussion]. Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) Institutional Researchers Summit: "Consortium Innovations and Prospective Collaborations in Analytics and Research," Beloit College, Beloit, WI.
McKinley, K. & Dunnagan, S. (2020, December). Assessing and Enhancing the Student Experience with Data [Invited virtual panelists for Sharing Best Practices Among WAICU-member Colleges and Universities: A Persistence and Completion Series on Data-Informed Decision Making]. Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU).
McKinley, K., Anderbyrne, E., Brenner, V., Johnson, A. & Oman, J. (2020, October). Data in the Age of COVID-19 Member Lightning Presentations [Invited panelist]. Association for Institutional Research in the Upper Midwest (AIRUM) Annual Conference [held virtually in 2020 due to global COVID-19 pandemic.]
McKinley, K., Fergus, M., Fingerson, L., & Pearson Hennan, J. (2020, April). IR/IE Fundamentals in a Time of Rapid Change [Invited webinar panelist]. Association for Institutional Research in the Upper Midwest (AIRUM). [This presentation occurred in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.]
McKinley, K. & Dunnagan, S. (2019, November). Benefits of Succession Planning and Secrets of Leadership Development. Association for Institutional Research in the Upper Midwest (AIRUM) Annual Conference, Bloomington, MN.
McKinley, K., Johnson, A., Williams, T., & Solverson, N. (2019, November). Getting Involved in AIR and AIRUM: What You Need (or Want!) to Know. [Invited panelist]. Association for Institutional Research in the Upper Midwest (AIRUM) Annual Conference, Bloomington, MN.
McKinley, K., Barrett, K., Durkin, M., & Singh, R. (2019, March). Diversity Metrics: How Do You Measure Success? [Invited panelist]. Thrivent Financial, Appleton, WI.
McKinley, K., Klein, B., & Holewinski, D. (2019, March). QPR. Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, WI.
McKinley, K. & Haurykiewicz, J. (2017, May). The Lifeline Project: Suicide Prevention at Lawrence and in the Greater Fox Valley [Invited panelists for "Research Collaboration on Mental Wellness and Health" Panel Presentation]. Grinnell College Thriving at the Liberal Arts College: "Key Issues, Service Models, and Research for Mental Wellness," Grinnell, IA.
McKinley, K., Czarnik-Neimeyer, C., Wardlow, C., Heuvelman, M., Seefeldt, J., Koplitz, P., Wallschlaeger, J., & Peters, D. (2017, April). QPR. Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, WI.
In partnership with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin's Kids in Crisis series Kristin McKinley, Cindy Czarnik-Neimeyer, Chris Wardlow, Melissa Heuvelman, Jennifer Seefeldt, Patty Koplitz, John Wallschlaeger, and Debbie Peters presented QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training to about 95 people on April 11 in Appleton at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. Jen Zettel, an education reporter for the Post-Crescent [Appleton | Fox Cities], wrote "Kids in Crisis: Be proactive, not reactive" to summarize the event.
McKinley, K., Czarnik-Neimeyer, C., Wallschlaeger, J., and Kapelle, D. (2017, March). QPR. Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, WI.
The inaugural event was supported by a Fast Track Community Education grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc. and organized by American Legion Post 38, Prevent Suicide Fox Cities, Fox Valley Veterans Council, Veterans Mentor Group, and Fox Valley Technical College Veterans Services. The one-day event raised awareness and learn about the plight and challenges of our veterans. The event included a resource fair, documentary showings of "Project 22" and a panel discussion following each screening, and QPR training.
Kristin McKinley, Cindy Czarnik-Neimeyer, John Wallschlaeger, and David Kapelle presented QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training to about 40 people on March 28 at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton. Ethan Safran, an urgency reporter for the Post-Crescent [Appleton | Fox Cities], wrote "Appleton program to offer resources for veterans" to promote the event. WBAY, an ABC-affiliated television station in Green Bay, WI, provided coverage of the event in their story, "Appleton event focuses on suicide prevention among veterans."
McKinley, K., Erickson, C., Fuchs, K.F., Haurykiewicz, J., & Skinner, W. (2011, August). Suicide Prevention: A Community Responsibility [Presentation and Poster Presentation]. Appleton Area School District's Education for Healthy Kids Institute, Appleton, WI.
Workshops, funded in part by our Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence (IE) Grant, highlight cross-campus collaborations between our office and others engaging in work around student success.
Theisen, R. & Rex, J. (2022, June 1). Creating a More Inclusive Syllabus Workshop. What Works in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Conference [sponsored by Kenyon College, Ohio Wesleyan University, the Ohio Five Collaborative Grants Program, and Kenyon’s Anti-Racism Resource Fund].
Dr. Rose Theisen and Jedidiah Rex led participants in an exploration of what it means to create an inclusive syllabus and why it is important to do so. Participants were provided with a rubric and other syllabus resources and were given the opportunity for structured peer-to-peer discussion. Participants were asked to bring a recent or upcoming syllabus to review and evaluate.
Theisen, R. & Rex, J. (2021, December 7; 2021, December 8; and 2021, December 14). Creating a More Inclusive Syllabus Workshop [Co-sponsored by the HHMI Task Force and the Inclusive Pedagogy Committee]. Lawrence University, Appleton, WI.
Dr. Rose Theisen and Jedidiah Rex led participants in an exploration of what it means to create an inclusive syllabus and why it is important to do so. Participants were provided with a rubric and other syllabus resources and were given the opportunity for structured peer-to-peer discussion. Participants were asked to bring a recent or upcoming syllabus to review and evaluate.
Theisen, R. & Rex, J. (2019, December 4; 2019, December 11; and 2020, March 24). Inclusive Syllabus Workshop [Co-sponsored by the HHMI Task Force and the Inclusive Pedagogy Committee]. Lawrence University, Appleton, WI.
A syllabus is likely one of the first communications between an instructor and students. Come to this workshop to hear about and use tools and strategies to make your syllabus clear, concise, and inclusive of all students. Learning objectives include being able to: identify elements of an inclusive syllabus; recognize why instructors should consider revising the syllabus to be more inclusive; remember what resources online and on campus can be used to support inclusive syllabi; and, engage in a culture of inclusive excellence by fostering constructive dialogue around the value of inclusive syllabi in creating an inclusive learning environment and climate at Lawrence and by encouraging accountability for inclusive syllabi on this campus.
We were invited by the editor, Bethany L. Miller, to contribute to the special issue of New Directions for Institutional Research: The Evolution of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Institutional Research, & Data. Unbeknownst to us at the time, this was the final journal issue.
McKinley, K. & Dunnagan, S. (2022, February 11). The role of institutional research in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. New Directions for Institutional Research, 2021 (189-192), 71 91. https://doi.org/10.1002/ir.20353
Tech Tips are published in eAIR, the monthly electronic newsletter of the Association for Institutional Research. Tips provide advice and examples of technology designed to simplify and streamline institutional research activities. Tips are written by members and reviewed by peers.
McKinley, K. (2017, November). ASAP Utilities for Excel.
McKinley, K. (2017, March). Project Management Using Microsoft Planner.
McKinley, K. (2014, September). Excel Combine Rows Wizard.
Schott, S., Mayes, E., & McKinley, K. (2022, May 11). IDEAS Spring Committee Meeting. Lawrence University Board of Trustees - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Success (IDEAS) Committee Meeting, Appleton, WI.
McKinley, K. & Dunnagan, S. (2020, October 13). Equity-Mindedness at Lawrence. Lawrence University Board of Trustees - Antiracism Task Force Virtual Meeting, Appleton, WI.
McKinley, K. (2022, April 18). U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges. Lawrence University Strategic Investment Planning Leads Meeting, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI.
McKinley, K. & Theisen, R. (2021, April 15). Using Data to Inform, Guide, and Advocate for Student Success. HHMI PIC 8 Annual (Virtual) Meeting, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI.
McKinley, K. (2021, March 12). Accessibility at Lawrence: Making Progress Thanks to Change Agents. [Invited speaker]. HHMI PIC 8 Virtual Monthly Meeting.
McKinley, K., & Hizer, S. (2020, October 20). Sustaining IE Affinity Group Session B: Assessment and Evaluation: Exploring Strategies to Inform Equitable Assessment of Student Outcomes, Program Development, Institutional Change, and Dissemination of Outcomes. [Co-facilitated session]. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence (IE) Annual Grantee Meeting (virtual).
McKinley, K., Dunnagan, S., Theisen, R., Blaich, C. & Wise, K. (2020, October 7). How Do We Help Students Succeed in Introductory Science Courses? Lawrence University HHMI IE Task Force Virtual Meeting.
McKinley, K. & Theisen, R. (2020, August 13). Introductory Science Course Syllabi Analysis [Memo]. Lawrence University Provost and Dean of the Faculty & Inclusive Pedagogy Committee, Appleton, WI.
Our office conducted an analysis of introductory-level syllabi from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics [BIOL 130, 150, & 170; CHEM 115 & 116; and PHYS 141 & 151] as part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence (IE) grant evaluation. Each of the 13 syllabi collected were examined for the following elements: 1) learning goals and objectives, 2) learning assessments, 3) schedule, and 4) classroom environment. The findings from the syllabi analysis, a summary of the office's accomplishments as it related to year one recommendations, and evidence-based recommendations moving forward were included in the memo to the IPC.
Rex, J. (2020, May 7). Extreme Makeover: Moodle Edition. Lawrence University, Appleton, WI.
Our office is mentioned in this blog written by Jedidiah Rex. Kristin McKinley and Rose Theisen shared high-level data findings from Midterm Student Reflection Survey, which was conducted in three introductory science courses in spring 2020 as part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence (IE) grant evaluation, and the HEDS COVID-19 Student Survey. We discussed actionable items related to distance learning conveyed through survey data with the Instructional Designer (Jedidiah Rex).This blog demonstrates the way faculty can improve the design and appearance of their Moodle course to enhance the student experience.
McKinley, K., Theisen, R., & Debbert, S. (2019, July 19). Introductory Science Course Syllabi Analysis [Memo]. Lawrence University Provost and Dean of the Faculty and the Inclusive Pedagogy Committee, Appleton, WI.
Our office conducted an analysis of introductory-level syllabi from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics [BIOL 130, 150, & 170; CHEM 116; and PHYS 141 & 151] as part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence (IE) grant evaluation. Each of the ten syllabi collected were examined for the following elements: 1) learning goals and objectives, 2) learning assessments, 3) schedule, and 4) classroom environment. The findings from the syllabi analysis, recommendations moving forward, and resources were included in the memo to the Provost and Dean of the Faculty and the IPC.
McKinley, K. (2017, April). Data, Data Everywhere [Invited speaker]. Lawrence University, Appleton, WI.
This session provided an overview of the Office of Research Administration, which compiles a wide variety of institutional data and information about Lawrence University. Kristin McKinley and Caitlin Weihing demonstrated how you can find answers to common questions on your own by accessing readily available resources.
Kelly, F. (2014, December). American College Rankings: How They Work and What They Mean. The Foreign Service Journal, 91(2).
Kristin McKinley was quoted in this article that offered an in-depth look at U.S. college rankings.The Foreign Service Journal is published monthly and covers foreign affairs from the perspective of American Foreign Service personnel and members of Washington's foreign policy establishment.
Lawrence University is a member of the multi-disciplinary review team, primarily contributing expertise in reviewing child and adolescent suicides and preventing future deaths. Kathleen Fuchs, retired Director of Counseling Services and Lawrence Lifeline Project Director, served as a member from 2010-2013 and Kristin McKinley began serving in 2013. The team publicly displays its prevention efforts and recommendations. Several team members drafted suicide prevention recommendations in 2013, and McKinley suggested the addition of Recommendation #6: Promote responsible and accurate media reporting of suicide and mental illness.
Page content was last updated on 6/6/2022.
