International Love Data Week 2025 | Office of Educational Effectiveness

Yellow Ombre header that reads: Stony Brook University International Love Data Week
February 10-14, 2025
Hosted by the Division of Educational & Institutional Effectiveness
Calendar of Events

International Love Data Week is a global event dedicated to celebrating data in all its forms. This year, Stony Brook University is excited to celebrate Love Data Week with a series of 30-minute webinars aimed to promote proficiency with data, showcase innovative data projects, and foster a community of data enthusiasts across campus. Hosted by the Division of Educational & Institutional Effectiveness and facilitated by the Office of Educational Effectiveness, we invite all SBU faculty, staff and students to join in the festivities, learn from colleagues in our campus community, and fall in love with the power of data!

Monday, February 10

To share data accessibly, there are many things you can do to format your spreadsheets and tables. Let's discuss a few best practices to ensure everyone can access and love your data. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Lindsay Bryde. Lindsay is the Course Content Accessibility Specialist in the Center for Learning and Teaching (CELT). She's been teaching English and Education courses for the last fifteen years. She co-edited the collection RuPedagogies of Realness: Essays on Teaching and Learning with RuPaul's Drag Race, published by McFarland in 2022.
Learn practical tips and tricks for designing effective surveys and crafting great survey questions in this short presentation. Explore best practices to make your surveys engaging, clear, and capable of gathering meaningful responses. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Simran Kaur, MA & Ahmed Belazi, MPH, IPC. Simran is a Survey Research Analyst and part of the CRAFT (Communication, Research, Assessment, Fundraising, and Technology) Team. She plans, develops, and administers both targeted and institution-wide surveys, prepares data files, analyzes results, and communicates essential findings. Ahmed serves as the Executive Director of Strategic Analytics and Technologies in the Division of Student Affairs and co-leads the CRAFT Team which leverages expertise in Communication, Research and Assessment, Fundraising, and Technology towards strategic divisional goals.
Discover how to locate reliable open datasets for academic or professional projects, and learn about key resources, search strategies, and tips for evaluating data. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Ahmad Pratama, PhD. Ahmad is the Data Literacies Lead at Stony Brook University Libraries, where he develops workshops, creates research guides, and provides consultations on a wide range of data-related topics. He is dedicated to building a robust data literacy program to support the entire SBU community.

Tuesday, February 11

This talk will demonstrate why caring about students requires data. Detailed data analytics of undergraduate learning patterns at multiple institutions will be used to reveal whether faculty are mitigating, maintaining, or exacerbating inequities. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Ross Nehm, PhD. Ross Nehm is PI of the BER Lab and is Professor of Ecology & Evolution and a member of the graduate program in Science Education. He completed his graduate work in biology and science education at the University of California-Berkeley and Columbia University. His major awards include a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation, a student mentoring award from CUNY, and a teaching award from Berkeley. He was named an Education Fellow in the Life Sciences by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Professor Nehm has served in academic leadership roles nationally and internationally, including as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Evolution: Evolution Education and Outreach, Associate Editor of Science & Education, Associate Editor of the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Editor of CBE-Life Sciences Education, and a board member of several other academic journals. He has been a frequent invited speaker nationally and internationally, including at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, as a James Moore Lecturer at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, and as a keynote speaker in several countries (e.g., Germany, Sweden, China, Chile).

Prof. Nehm is the author of more than 60 journal articles, 12 book chapters, and well over 100 conference papers. He has successfully directed (as Principal Investigator) multiple research studies > $1M and secured more than $8M in research funding. He has served on the research advisory boards of many federally funded science education projects, the National Science Foundation’s Committee of Visitors, and many NSF panels as Chair. His research findings have been featured in The New Republic, Science magazine’s Editor’s Choice, CBS News, and many other outlets.
Learn about what types of data and visualizations you have at your fingertips. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Robert Miller, PhD & Sean Hoffman, MS. With over two decades of experience in higher education administration, Dr. Miller currently serves as the Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness at Stony Brook University. Sean Hoffman is the Assistant Director for Analytics in the Division of Educational & Institutional Effectiveness. He is responsible for design and implementation of Stony Brook Analytics Tableau dashboards, as well as the training of University personnel in their use. He provides data and analysis to assist the University in benchmarking, reporting, and strategic planning. Sean also serves as the Institution’s primary representative to the Association of American Universities (AAU) Data Exchange, as well as an at-large Council Member.
Explore key findings from the 2023 Sexual Health Services Survey, highlighting the critical role of comprehensive data collection in advancing health equity. We will learn about the impact of data disaggregation on service delivery, emerging trends in sexual health services, and evidence-based approaches to trauma-informed care. Through examination of real-world data and outcomes, we'll discuss how healthcare organizations can enhance their data collection practices to better serve diverse populations and improve clinical outcomes. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by John Obi, MPH. John is a Data and Analytics Analyst Coordinator and part of CRAFT team. His professional work encompasses data analytics specialties, including data collection, analysis, visualization, problem-solving and communication at Students Health Wellness and Prevention Services.

Wednesday, February 12

Join us as we explore publicly available data sources that reveal valuable insights into the career outcomes of academic programs. Learn how tools like the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, Census Bureau’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes, and professional platforms like LinkedIn and PayScale can be leveraged to understand employment trends, salary benchmarks, and industry trajectories. Whether you're a researcher, advisor, or data enthusiast, this session will equip you with practical knowledge and resources to analyze career outcomes and support informed decision-making. Perfect for anyone curious about the intersection of education, employment, and data! Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Daniel Pitti, MS. Dan is the Senior Operations and Data Analyst for the Career Center. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from SUNY Purchase in 2015 and Master of Science in Applied Health Informatics from Stony Brook University in 2020. Dan was the recipient of the 2015 Emerging Scholar award from SUNY Purchase, and following graduation worked at the Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Laboratory at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, co-authoring several papers on outcomes relating to Alcohol Use Disorder. During this time Dan became interested in Data Analytics, and transitioned career paths from academic research towards this new focus.
Discover the range of survey tools available and learn the basics of using them effectively. We'll explore the pros and cons of each platform, discuss ideal use cases, and offer key considerations to help you choose the best fit for your needs. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Simran Kaur, MA & Ahmed Belazi, MPH, IPC. Simran is a Survey Research Analyst and part of the CRAFT (Communication, Research, Assessment, Fundraising, and Technology) Team. She plans, develops, and administers both targeted and institution-wide surveys, prepares data files, analyzes results, and communicates essential findings. Ahmed serves as the Executive Director of Strategic Analytics and Technologies in the Division of Student Affairs and co-leads the CRAFT Team which leverages expertise in Communication, Research and Assessment, Fundraising, and Technology towards strategic divisional goals.
This presentation will briefly discuss types of evidence used for program/external reviews versus annual assessment of program learning outcomes. In depth discussion on simplified ways to identify the evidence (data) used for assessment of learning outcomes, analysis of the data, and closing an evidence-based loop. If times permits, steps on how you can take your love of evidence to the next level! Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Debbie Zelizer, PhD, LCSW. Dr. Zelizer (she/her) is a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Health Professions and Chair of the Department of Health Science, overseeing professionally accredited programs and the Health Science major. In 2014, she participated in the Assessment Academy, where she developed expertise in making evidence-based curricular decisions. She has served on various re-accreditation committees, including the 2024 MSCHE Standard 5 committee, and has been an active member of the General Education Advisory Committee and the Assessment Council. She currently serves as chair of the Assessment Council.
Learn about CELT’s journey conducting educational research around the topic of active learning classrooms (ALCs). Discover how CELT collected and used the data to inform and guide our research exploration on ALC. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Yiren Kong, PhD. Yiren is an Educational Research and Grant Development Specialist in the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. His responsibilities include overseeing educational research projects, applying for grants, and more.

Thursday, February 13

Join us for a lively 30-minute session during Love Data Week! We'll dive into the fascinating world of course evaluation data and discover how to turn student feedback into actionable insights. Learn how to spot trends, decode comments, and use this valuable information to create an even more engaging and dynamic classroom experience. Whether you're looking to address common concerns or celebrate your successes, this session will equip you with the tools to make data-driven improvements that your students will love. Get ready to transform your teaching with the power of data. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Rose Tirotta-Esposito, EdD & Yasmene Kimble, EdD. Rose is the Director of the Center for Excellence in Learning the Teaching (CELT) and has close to 30 years of experience in teaching, course assessment, instructional design, and management in both K-12 and higher education. Yasmene is an Assessment Specialist at the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). Her previous experience includes teaching, instructional design, and administration in both K-12 and adult education. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings from the University of Southern California.
In today's data-driven world, effective data governance is crucial for organizations to ensure data quality, compliance, and security. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of data governance, focusing on its key components, benefits, and best practices. Attendees will learn about the roles and responsibilities within a governance framework, the processes and controls necessary for maintaining data integrity, and the tools and technologies that support data governance initiatives. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Theresa Diemer, MA & Arielle Markiewicz. Theresa Diemer is the Assistant Director for Data Governance and Management. She is responsible for maintaining and ensuring that data sources owned by IRPE are valid and robust in order to meet internal and external reporting requirements. She works with university leaders to understand business rules and operational requirements; ensuring analysts in the IRPE Office and others in the university have access to appropriate data. Arielle Markiewicz is a business analyst for data governance in the Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness. In this role, she supports data governance activities to advance policy development and coordination, data stewardship, data definitions and standards, and communications strategies.
Moderators and mediators can reveal fascinating nuances in your data, if you're willing to introduce more variables. Figure out where an effect happened, or why it happened, by letting things get a bit more complicated. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Carl Lejuez, PhD. Dr. Lejuez serves as Stony Brook's chief academic officer, with responsibility for all academic units and operations. He is also a professor of clinical psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology. His appointment began on July 1, 2022.

Lejuez oversees the academic mission of the university, providing direct supervision for all academic units, support services, and operations, including enrollment management and student success, and coordinating all academic programs. The deans and directors of the West Campus colleges, schools, libraries, centers, and institutes report to him, as does the associate provost for the Lichtenstein Center. He also collaborates with the executive vice president of health sciences to support the health sciences schools on the East Campus. Across these areas, leaders work to provide greater alignment in our research enterprise, enhance interdisciplinary education, and offer enhanced services to all students and faculty.

Prior to his affiliation with Stony Brook, Lejuez served as provost and executive vice president at the University of Connecticut as well as the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas, where he also served as the university as interim provost for two years. He spent the bulk of his academic career at the University of Maryland, where he was a professor in the clinical psychology program in the department of psychology and where he served as an associate dean for research for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. His other academic appointments include research professor at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and an adjunct faculty member at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, CT.

Lejuez's research focuses on the use of basic laboratory research findings for the development of behavioral interventions to address a wide range of psychological conditions including mood disorders, addictions, and personality disorders for marginalized and underserved populations. At Maryland, he founded and led the Center for Addictions, Personality and Emotions Research. Lejuez has received grant funding from several sources for his research and is widely published, having also served on several editorial boards and having been a founding editor of the publication "Personality Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment." Moreover, he is the co-editor of the "Cambridge University Press Handbook of Personality Disorders," published in spring 2020 and currently has a contract with Oxford University Press for a book about transdiagnostic behavioral therapy he has developed to be part of their "Treatments at Work" series.

He proudly carries the distinction as a first-generation student. He holds his M.A. and Ph.D., both in clinical psychology, from West Virginia University, and earned a B.A. in psychology from Emory University.
Want to gain deeper insights into your students' learning and engagement? Join us for a 30-minute demo showcasing how Brightspace learning analytics can empower you to make data-driven decisions and improve student outcomes.Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Diana Voss, MS & Adam Pilipshen. Diana is the Director of Academic Technologies for the Division of Information Technology. She holds a B.S. in Information Systems from Stony Brook University and an M.S. in Information Technology from NYIT. Diana works with internal teams to improve service management, decrease risk by applying change management principles, increase student employee career competencies, and provide access to academic technology to improve student success. Adam is the Assistant Director of Assessment, Evaluation and Research in the Division of Student Affairs and part of the CRAFT team. Adam supports and enhances the Division's assessment, evaluation, and research efforts to help cultivate a culture of data-informed continuous advancement.

Friday, February 14

At the end of a year, have you ever sat and thought, "I wish I remembered what I did this year"? If so, this 30-minute workshop will equip you with practical strategies to uncover and leverage the hidden data that reflects your true work contributions. Learn how to:
- - Systematically tag and categorize emails to easily find key information when you need it
  - Code your calendar events to quantify your time allocation and identify hidden patterns in your workload.
  - Track project time using a custom spreadsheet to visualize your progress and demonstrate your impact.
By the end of this workshop, you'll have the tools to organize and collect the hidden data that tells your unique work story – a powerful asset for performance reviews, career development, and personal reflection. Register for the Zoom session

Facilitated by Julie Sharma. Julie, a former professional musician and college English teacher and current Carnegie Mellon Data Science for Education Fellow and DoIT employee, brings a unique blend of creativity and analytical skills to data. As a data enthusiast, she has leveraged data to understand website usage and improve user experience; celebrate participant accomplishments to foster a sense of community; and boost workshop offerings, resulting in a 500% increase in registrations. A natural storyteller, Julie has long applied data-driven approaches to quantify and qualify her own work achievements and is passionate about empowering others to harness the power of data to achieve more in their work and beyond.
Celebrate with our talented International Love Data Week presenters and fellow data enthusiasts in the Wang Center Theater Lobby from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.! Meet the faculty, staff, and SBU offices working with data and enjoy some light bites in a casual atmosphere. Grab some data-themed swag and chat with colleagues from partnering offices, including Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness, the Center for Excellence in Learning & Teaching, the SBU Libraries, the Student Affairs C.R.A.F.T. Team, and more. Registrationis encouraged.

more #LoveData25 Resources

Stony Brook Medicine's 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), released in December, provides valuable, data-driven insights into health needs in Suffolk County. Datasets are available to researchers, clinicians and faculty to support intersectional analyses across various domains, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, LGBTQ+ identity, military service, and more. Visit SBM CHNA to view the report, presentation video and for guidance on accessing raw data.

show your #lovedata25 spirit on Zoom

Celebrate International Love Data Week 2025 in style! Download a customized #LoveData25 at Stony Brook University Zoom Background to put your data devotation on display.

Yellow ombre banner that reads: #LoveData25 and Love Data Week