Get smarter data governance with a partner who knows higher ed.
Learn how we succeed in our latest guide: Getting Started with Data Governance in Higher Education- the Unicon Way.
Download Getting Started with Data Governance in Higher Education- the Unicon Way
Data is the foundation for effective decision-making, student success, and institutional growth. But with increasing demands for compliance, privacy, and cross-departmental collaboration, governance can feel overwhelming.
Higher education organizations are under increasing pressure to use data effectively while maintaining trust, privacy, and institutional alignment. But governance isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating clarity, empowering teams, and making informed decisions at every level.
For over 30 years, Unicon has helped colleges, universities, and foundations plan, coordinate, implement, and manage modern data governance programs. We believe governance goes beyond meeting regulatory requirements. At its heart, governance is about creating clarity, fostering collaboration, and empowering your teams to use data with confidence.
A practical framework for data governance that works in higher ed
In this guide, you’ll learn about Unicon’s bottom-up, real-world approach to governance—one that’s designed specifically for higher ed environments where resources are limited, cultures vary, and data is critical.
A practical framework for data governance that works in higher ed
In this guide, you’ll learn about Unicon’s bottom-up, real-world approach to governance—one that’s designed specifically for higher ed environments where resources are limited, cultures vary, and data is critical. Inside you'll learn:
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A step-by-step approach to launching or refining your governance program
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How to assess your institution’s current data governance maturity- and identify the right next steps
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How to align data strategy with institutional culture—not against it
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Practical frameworks to define roles, policies, and stakeholder engagement
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Insights from real-world implementations at top institutions
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Why a flexible, iterative approach outperforms rigid, top-down models
Why data governance is so challenging for higher education
Higher education institutions deal with all the same data challenges as large enterprises—plus a few more. But unlike the corporate world, most colleges and universities aren’t built for fast decision-making, centralized control, or rapid technology adoption.
Here’s what makes governance especially tough in higher ed:
- Decentralized ownership. Data lives across departments, systems, and silos—with no single source of truth.
- Resource constraints. Lean IT and analytics teams are stretched thin, making it hard to prioritize governance alongside day-to-day operations.
- Cultural complexity. Faculty, administrators, and staff all use data differently—and change can feel threatening.
- Misaligned incentives. Strategic goals vary across units, making it difficult to get agreement on priorities or policies.
- Compliance vs. collaboration. Governance often starts as a compliance initiative, but lasting success requires deep cross-functional buy-in.
Despite these challenges, institutions that succeed in data governance do so by grounding their efforts in how people actually work- and evolving from there. This is where Unicon’s expertise shines.
Who should download this guide?
This guide is ideal for higher ed leaders responsible for- or impacted by- data governance and strategy, including:
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CTOs and CIOs
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Institutional research and data leaders
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Data stewards, data engineers, and data custodians
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Compliance and privacy officers
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Strategic planning and analytics teams
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Provosts and academic leadership
“Data governance in higher education isn’t that different from the corporate world—but the way you implement it has to be. Culture, use cases, and structure matter. That’s why we start small, stay pragmatic, and build with the people closest to the data.”
Why now? The pressures pushing higher education to prioritize data governance and data strategy
The expectations for colleges and universities are higher than ever. Enterprise-grade data strategy and governance are no longer “nice-to-have” capabilities in education—they’re mission critical. These institutions are being pushed to act by a combination of internal complexity and external accountability:
- Increased demand for data-informed decisions. From enrollment strategies to student success metrics, leadership needs reliable data to guide institutional priorities.
- Mounting compliance and privacy requirements. FERPA, GDPR, and other regulations demand more structured control over data access and usage.
- Growing tech stack complexity. As institutions adopt more SaaS platforms and cloud solutions, the risk of fragmentation and misalignment rises.
- Pressure from funders and stakeholders. Foundations, boards, and government partners increasingly expect clear data strategies and governance practices in place.
- AI and analytics readiness. Institutions are realizing that without clean, well-governed data, AI and advanced analytics initiatives can’t succeed.
Higher education institutions are facing a clear inflection point. Organizations that invest in thoughtful, scalable governance now will be better positioned to adapt, comply, and lead.
Ready to bring clarity, trust, and alignment to your institution’s data governance strategy?
Fill out the form to download The Unicon Way: Data Strategy & Governance and learn how Unicon can help you build a governance program that fits your mission, your people, and your future.