Dr. Cali Morrison: Driving Innovation with Data and Transparency (Part 2)

Episode 20

Episode Summary

In this second part of our three-part series, Dr. Cali Morrison takes us inside two major projects that shaped the future of higher education: Transparency by Design and the Predictive Analytics Reporting (PAR) Framework. These efforts paved the way for program-level transparency, skills-based hiring, and data-driven student success strategies.

Calli shares how Transparency by Design helped adult learners make informed decisions by comparing program-level outcomes, and how the PAR Framework demonstrated the power of shared data to predict student persistence and drive interventions. Along the way, she tells the unforgettable story of her daughter Bryce—the 'PAR baby'—born on the very day a Gates Foundation grant proposal was due.

This conversation highlights the importance of transparency, collaboration, and the human side of innovation in education.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The origins and goals of Transparency by Design
• Why program-level data is vital for adult learners making college choices
• How accreditors and even the Department of Defense adopted metrics from the initiative
• The creation and impact of the Predictive Analytics Reporting (PAR) Framework
• The unforgettable story of the 'PAR baby' and the human side of innovation

Reflection Question

How could your team use data not just to measure, but to intervene early and change student outcomes?

Resources & Links

• Learn more about Engaged By Design: https://engagedbydesign.com
• Get the book: MACRO Leadership on Amazon: https://amzn.to/476zHRP
• Free 10-Lesson MACRO Leadership Course: https://www.engagedbydesign.com/macroleadershipbook 

The technology we used 

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC  

• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb