Balancing the Ask: Managing Expectations in Campus Climate Assessment

Session Abstract: Since 2000, Rankin Climate has partnered with higher educational institutions, helping them use data to make pivotal decisions and transform communities. This session will explore the complexities of managing expectations throughout the campus climate assessment process—who’s included in the planning, what's being asked, who’s being asked, what comes out of the process, and what the next steps are. We will share strategies for engaging campus stakeholders, aligning institutional goals with campus needs, and navigating the tensions between transparency, action, and accountability. Our experts will discuss how campus climate data supports institutions in developing actions and defending initiatives that help students, staff, and faculty achieve academic, personal, and professional success. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what it takes to balance methodological rigor, inclusive engagement, and strategic communication in campus climate assessment efforts.

Keywords: Campus Climate Assessment, Data, Engagement, Transparency, Action