Mapping Modality— A Data Science Project for Standardizing Online and Hybrid Classifications at UVA

The University of Virginia's Office of the Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation (OEDI) in collaboration with Institutional Research and Analytics (IRA), seeks to assess and improve the way online and hybrid modalities are defined, tagged, and recorded across its twelve schools. Currently, each school approaches this differently—using a range of definitions, system fields, and naming conventions—which complicates central reporting, analytics, and strategic planning. The project aims to inform the development of a standardized and centralized approach to modality tracking that will support consistent, accurate reporting and enable future SIS transitions.  This data informs important decision making about which courses or programs to invest in building online or hybrid modalities. This work will be valuable both in the short term—for more accurate reporting to state and accreditation bodies—and in the long term, as UVA considers potential SIS transitions in the future. 

Enhancing UVA's Career Development Ecosystem

The University of Virginia's Office of the Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation (OEDI) seeks to optimize its career development tools to better support student success and workforce readiness. This project involves a comprehensive competitive analysis of the career tools currently utilized by UVA's Career Services and Alumni Association. The team will benchmark these tools against those used by peer institutions to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities for enhancement. The project will also assess student and employer engagement with these tools through surveys or interviews to gauge their effectiveness and accessibility. The ultimate goal is to provide strategic recommendations that align UVA's career tool offerings with the needs of students and employers, ensuring a robust support system for career development.

Amplifying Summer: Research-Backed Marketing for UVA Summer Session

The Office of Summer and Special Academic Programs (SSAP) serves UVA students and visiting students from other universities, high schools, and the Charlottesville community and beyond. Courses are offered over three sessions from May through August and are taught by instructors from the undergraduate schools at the University.   SSAP wants to identify the motivations that drive students to enroll in Summer Session. After conducting qualitative research, the group will apply findings to inform a refreshed digital marketing strategy. This includes identifying effective channels, messages, and formats for promoting Summer Session to students, as well as producing example content and creative assets.  The findings will support SSAP’s efforts to refine course offerings, improve outreach, and develop both immediate and long-term enhancements to Summer Session programming.