Leveraging Data to Overcome Emotional Challenges in Decision-Making
Includes a Live Web Event on 04/09/2025 at 4:30 PM (EDT)
Decision-making in student affairs can be particularly challenging due to the personal ties that often accompany the work. The Decision-Making Framework (DMF) offers a structured approach with four phases to navigate complex decisions. The presenters explore updates to the DMF, focusing on using data to guide emotionally charged decisions. The presenters show how data helps reduce emotional biases for more effective decision-making by providing practical examples, including a case study from the University of Georgiaâs Basic Needs initiative.
Learning Outcomes
1. Apply the four phases of the Decision-Making Framework (DMF) with particular attention to quality data
2. Implement data-based strategies to recognize and reduce the impact of emotional and personal biases in decision-making
Annie Carlson Welch
Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs
University of Georgia
Annie Carlson Welch serves as the Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Georgia. Over the past four years, Annie has overseen the Student Affairs data initiative, an effort to strengthen student engagement data across the division. As an evolution of this work, Annie and her team are now identifying opportunities to tie data together to better understand the student experience at UGA. In addition to this work, Annie oversees the division’s strategic plan, the development of academic partnerships, efforts for assessment and continuous improvement, and accreditation standards. Prior to her work at UGA, Annie served in a variety of roles across academic and student affairs, such as undergraduate research, academic advising, student engagement, and fraternity/sorority life. She’s had the opportunity to live and work across the country at institutions including the University of Oregon, Wake Forest University, and NC State University. Annie earned a B.S from the University of Illinois, an M.S. from Florida State University, and is a current doctoral student in the McBee Institute for Higher Education at UGA.
Amber Atkinson
Senior Business Intelligence Analyst
University of Georgia
Amber Atkinson serves as a Senior Business Intelligence Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research at the University of Georgia. In her role, Amber organizes, analyzes, and communicates institutional data to advance University operations and strategic goals. Her position is uniquely partnered with the Division of Student Affairs, allowing her to collaborate with DSA leadership to build a culture of data-informed decision making and develop customized dashboards for DSA departments. Amber has worked in several higher education roles prior to institutional research, including academic advising, academic program coordination, and assessment. Amber earned a M.A.T. in English Education and a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia.
Sarah Strickland
Professional Affiliate
University of Georgia
Continuing Education Credits
This session counts for 1.0 CSAEd-CORE credit
NASPA has been approved by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification to provide CE credit for Certified Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd). NASPA is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.
Guidelines for earning CE credit:
No partial credit will be rewarded.
Participants must also complete the feedback survey in the Online Learning Community.
1 Credit is available for attending the live session or viewing the on-demand recording.
To receive CSAEd credit, attendees must complete the feedback survey that offers the certification in each session. Once you have attended all the live sessions or watched the on-demand sessions for which you would like to request credit, visit the Continuing Education (CE) website to fill out the Student Affairs Education Certification Request Form for all the sessions. All certificants must fill out one for the live session and a separate one for the on-demand sessions. Visit the Continued Education (CE) website to learn more regarding deadlines and receive your certificate of completion for the Virtual Conference.