The student and program performance data that you have access to is incredible - and the Partner Dashboard is only the beginning. Want to do more with your data? Take advantage of your program’s raw data by exporting all or filtered data from the majority of the Partner Dashboard pages, including the Exports Page. Looking for inspiration? Keep reading for ideas on how to manipulate and analyze your program’s data outside of the Partner Dashboard!
Summarizing Data Quickly
There are near infinite ways you may wish to aggregate your data, that go beyond the existing visualizations or filtering capabilities in your Partner Dashboard. If you’re having a hard time finding the specific information you’re looking for, it is likely time to look at your program’s raw data and conduct your own analysis.
Spreadsheet Tips: Pivot Tables
Pivot tables allow you to quickly summarize and categorize large amounts of data. They can help you visualize important data, and provide a simple, shareable report.
Example: Matched Mentees by College and Major
Your mentorship program invites mentees from all Colleges. You are about to send a report to the Deans of each college with an update about the program, and matched participants from their specific College.
Example: Unmatch Reasons
You have noticed an uptick in Unmatches in the Activities Page of your Partner Dashboard. You’re curious about why these mentorships are being unmatched, but don’t want to go through each mentorship one by one.
Merging Multiple Datasets
Your institution has access to student data from many sources, in addition to your mentorship program and in the Partner Dashboard. However, you don’t want this data to live in separate silos. Data from multiple sources frequently complement each other and, together, can inform a broader and more comprehensive understanding of each student and the overall student experience. All you need is your program’s raw data and some quick spreadsheet skills!
Learn more about analyzing and extrapolating insights for your entire institution!
Spreadsheet Tip: XLOOKUP & VLOOKUP
The XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions allow you to use common data points to pull related data from multiple sources. You should use an XLOOKUP if you want greater flexibility, a simpler formula, and if you're working with newer versions of Excel. Alternatively, you can use VLOOKUP if you're working in older Excel versions, or if you just need a quick lookup for static tables with simple rightward column reference.
Regardless of which you use, both functions can help you gather all important data in one place.
Example: Returning Participants
Your institution is striving to make your mentorship program a part of the standard student experience, and create a culture of mentorship on your campus. You hope to see more returning participants in the program, as an indicator of progress towards this goal.
Note: In this video, we demonstrate a VLOOKUP - but an XLOOKUP can also be used.
Personalized Messaging & Documents
Students are receiving information from their institution constantly, and it can become overwhelming. How can they differentiate what is most important, or most relevant to them? You can help by making your messaging and program materials tailored to each individual, but without adding more work on your plate - all possible with your program’s exports.
Spreadsheet Tip: Mail Merge
Mail merge allows you to send bulk emails or create materials with personalized information. Using a mail merge helps you incorporate information specific to each individual.
Example: Mentor Thank You Emails
You would like to thank and celebrate your mentors for volunteering this year in the program. You decide to send a message to all mentors, thanking them for their work and inviting them to the end-of-year celebration event. However, you want to personalize the message so that mentors feel individually appreciated.
Conducting Impact Analysis
Review Mentor Collective's impact analysis webinar series to learn:
- How to conduct your own impact analysis
- Multiple approaches to using your data within your institution to enhance the effectiveness of your mentorship programs and student success strategy
- Practice ways to translate data findings into initiatives that create stronger, more accessible learning environments
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