This interactive lab is designed for institutional research staff and data submitters who want a practical, guided introduction to the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP). Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how PDP data are structured, how the submission process works, and how PDP dashboards can be used to inform student success and institutional decision-making. The session will emphasize real-world applications, common challenges, and strategies for making PDP participation actionable and sustainable at the institutional level.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Describe the purpose and origins of the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP) and explain how it complements existing higher education reporting systems such as IPEDS, institutional reporting, and state reporting.
• Identify the student cohorts and outcomes measured within the PDP, including early momentum metrics and student success outcomes.
• Articulate example research questions that PDP dashboards can answer, including questions related to student retention, credit accumulation, and credential completion.
• Describe the overall PDP data submission process and its key components like the cohort and course data files, likely institutional data sources, and common data preparation challenges.
• Recognize the strategic value of participating in the PDP, including its role in supporting student success initiatives, institutional benchmarking, and evidence-based decision making.