Fall head over heels for data during Love Data Week 2026
Inspired by International Love Data Week, Weber State’s Love Data Week returns for its second year, starting Monday, February 9, as a campus-wide invitation for faculty and staff to build a stronger relationship with data. This year’s theme, “It’s a Data Love Story”, explores how data connects to the people, decisions, and outcomes that matter most across our campus—whether you’re just getting started or ready to turn the page to a new chapter in how you work with data.
💘 What's Next:
- Explore the Schedule and Sessions - Scroll to view dates, formats, and session details.
- Register via Learn Weber - Already know what sessions you'd like to attend? Register now.
📖 Prologue: Start the Story Early
Ahead of Love Data Week, join us on January 27 for a hands-on Data Visualization Workshop focused on sharpening your data storytelling skills and learning best practices for creating effective Excel visualizations. This optional pre-event session, led by Heather Chapman and Maria Bennett, is the perfect warm-up before the full week of Love Data Week programming.
Register via Learn Weber📊 Data Viz Contest: Share your Data Love Story
Submit your best data viz (old or new), so that we can recognize and celebrate your finest data storytelling. This is your chance to turn a dataset you care about into a compelling narrative, whether it's from your research, a work project, or even a personal passion.
- Who Can Enter? Current Weber State faculty and staff.
- What to Submit? A static image (and link if it's interactive) of a data visualization you’ve created, along with a short description of the data story it tells. Maps, charts, infographics, data art, and dashboards are all welcome!
- Why Participate? Enhance your data storytelling skills or earn recognition for work you've already completed. Each winner will be recognized as a “Data Viz Wiz” in our Spring 2026 DataBytes newsletter.
- Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026
Our panel of judges will select one winner, and Love Data Week participants will vote for a People’s Choice Award. Both winners will be announced at the final event of Love Data Week.
Ready to share a data story close to your heart?
Submit Your Viz🗓️ Schedule at a Glance:
| Date & Time | Format | Title & Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Feb 9, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 am |
Presentation & Workshop |
Your First Chapter in Data: Navigating and Using WSU Resources Learn the basics of WSU’s data ecosystem, including where to find institutional data, how to request it responsibly, and how to frame role-appropriate data questions for effective decision-making. |
| Monday, Feb 9, 2026
12:30 - 2:00 pm |
Workshop |
AI in Your Data Story: Practical Tools and Responsible Use Explore practical AI tools used at WSU, learn ethical and security considerations, and see real examples of AI supporting teaching, advising, and administrative work. |
| Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 am |
Workshop |
Turning Data Into Story: Quick-Start Excel for Faculty and Staff Gain essential Excel skills for organizing data, performing calculations, and creating simple charts, with tips for handling everyday datasets efficiently. |
| Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 am |
Workshop & Discussion |
From Dashboard to Decisions: Turning First-Year Data into Action See how DFWI insights from the Course Information dashboard supported math pathways, gateway course analysis, and Developmental Math improvements. |
| Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026
2:00 - 3:00 pm |
Virtual Presentation |
Love at First Insight: Using Career and Workforce Data to Inform Decisions This session examines how Lightcast data supports workforce and labor market insights, including emerging skills, AI, and industry trends. Practical examples from Analyst, Career Coach, and Alumni Pathways demonstrate how these insights drive stronger decisions and campus outcomes. |
| Thursday, Feb 12, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 am |
Workshop |
Crafting Your Data Story: Student Programming Dashboards and Best Practices Hands-on lab using campus dashboards to analyze student program engagement, followed by practical guidance for improving data collection, reporting, and process alignment. |
| Thursday, Feb 12, 2026
2:00 - 4:00 pm |
Social & Celebration |
Happily Ever After With Data: Data Viz Awards and Closing Social Join a casual social to celebrate data storytelling at WSU, connect with colleagues, and see winners of the Love Data Week Data Visualization Contest recognized. |
📋 Session Details:
Your First Chapter in Data: Navigating and Using WSU Resources
Format: Presentation & Workshop
Date & Time: Feb 9 | 10:00 - 11:30 am
This session introduces employees to WSU’s data ecosystem while building foundational data literacy skills focused on both accessing data and asking the right questions of it. Participants learn where institutional data lives, how to request and interpret it responsibly, and how to frame role-appropriate data questions that support effective decision-making.
Presenters:
Daniel Jensen
Data Training & Communication Manager
Student Success Analytics
AI in Your Data Story: Practical Tools and Responsible Use
Session Type: Workshop
Date & Time: Feb 9 | 12:30 - 2:00 pm
This session introduces faculty and staff to practical uses of AI tools at WSU, with an emphasis on productivity and responsible use. The session showcases real campus use cases, such as leveraging AI to summarize open-ended survey comments, identify recurring themes, and draft plain-language insights, while addressing security considerations, data sensitivity, and responsible boundaries for AI use.
Note: Bring your laptop for this hands-on workshop and presentation.
Presenters:
Heather Chapman
Senior Director of Data & Analytics
Student Success Analytics
Ty Naylor
IT Learning & Engagement Manager
IT Business Services
Turning Data Into Story: Quick-Start Excel for Faculty and Staff
Session Type: Workshop
Date & Time: Feb 10 | 10:00 - 11:30 am
This practical, 90-minute session is designed specifically for faculty and staff. Participants learn to move beyond basic data entry by mastering essential techniques for organizing messy datasets, automating calculations with core formulas, and creating instant visual impact through charts and conditional formatting. Whether managing student lists or departmental budgets, participants leave with the confidence and shortcut skills needed to handle everyday data tasks with speed and accuracy.
Presenters:
Shawn Berry
Analytic & Tool Support Specialist
Institutional Effectiveness
From Dashboard to Decisions: Turning First-Year Data into Action
Session Type: Workshop & Discussion
Date & Time: Feb 11 | 10:00 - 11:30 am
The session briefly showcases the Course Information dashboard that explores DFWI rates, then focuses on how those insights were used to identify math pathways and gateway courses, spark cross-campus collaboration, and launch concrete improvement work in Developmental Math.
Note: Laptops are optional
Presenters:
Roy Kwon
Vice Provost
Undergraduate Education, Academic Support, and Institutional Effectiveness
Matt Christiansen
Director of Developmental Math
Love at First Insight: Using Career and Workforce Data to Inform Decisions
Session Type: Virtual Presentation
Date & Time: Feb 11 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm
This session takes a closer look at the data behind Lightcast and how it is being used effectively across institutions. The session covers what makes Lightcast data different from traditional government sources, how Lightcast stays ahead of emerging trends such as skill growth, AI, green jobs, and cybersecurity, and how these insights translate into real impact.
The session also highlights best practices and practical use cases across Analyst, Career Coach, and Alumni Pathways, with a focus on driving stronger decision-making, measurable ROI, and meaningful outcomes across campus.
Presenters:
Allison Anderson
Client Success Manager
Lightcast, Labor Market Data
Crafting Your Data Story: Student Programming Dashboards & Best Practices
Session Type: Workshop
Date & Time: Feb 12 | 10:00 - 11:30 am
This session is designed for members of the Student Access and Success (SAS) division and other individuals involved in student programming who are interested in building the skills and mindset needed for Director-level decision-making.
The first portion is a guided, hands-on lab using three campus dashboards to answer practical questions about how students engage with programs, how they report their experiences at WSU, and when they are most likely to be on campus.
The second portion shifts from “using data” to “building better data” by unpacking why some SAS data is challenging to represent broadly and walking through practical examples of how standard definitions and simpler collection practices make data easier to trust, share, and use for informed decisions.
Note: Bring your laptop for this hands-on workshop and presentation.
Presenters:
Heather Chapman
Senior Director of Data & Analytics
Student Success Analytics
Leslie Park
Interim Director for Admissions Strategy/
Strategic Initiatives
Keith Yowell
Business Intelligence & Reporting Analyst
Student Success Analytics
Weber State Data is a collaborative effort among the Offices of Student Success Analytics, Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness and Information Technology (IT). Our goal is to serve the faculty and staff at Weber State University with high-quality data resources, tools and education, empowering our community to make data-informed decisions that support our students’ success. Learn more about our mission and check out other useful resources at weber.edu/data.
Happily Ever After With Data: Data Viz Awards & Closing Social
Session Type: Social & Celebration
Date & Time: Feb 12 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
This informal social event celebrates campus data work and creativity. The event features networking, refreshments, and the announcement of Love Data Week Data Visualization contest winners, highlighting how data can inform, inspire, and connect the campus community.
Hosted by the Weber State Data Teams
Presenters:
Ivana Fredotovic
Chief Data Officer
Student Success Analytics
Maria Bennett
RegisterData Governance Manager
Student Success Analytics