Conference Panel Discussion

How Can IR Answer 'Is College Worth It’?

Thursday, November 6, 2025
10:00a.m. - 11:50a.m.

Presenters: 

  • Michael Alexander - Chancellor, UW-Green Bay

  • Nancy Floyd - Senior System Director for Research, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

  • Ronald Huesman - Senior Analyst, University of Minnesota's office of University Data and Institutional Reporting and a Principal Researcher, Student Experience in the Research University Consortium at the University of California, Berkeley

  • Megan Rozowski - Director of Research and Policy Development, Minnesota Private College Council

Michael Alexander : Since being named the seventh chancellor of UW-Green Bay in May of 2020, Michael Alexander has overseen enrollment growth of 28% at the institution.  He initiated six strategic priorities to support the future of the University, which have led to advancements in support of UW-Green Bay’s access mission.  UW-Green Bay overhauled its advising and career services to support student success and was the first university in Wisconsin to establish a direct admission program. The University has also dramatically grown its Division of Continuing Education to the 2nd largest in Wisconsin and increased certificate and non-credit offerings to provide more options for learning beyond traditional degree programs.  

To provide access and support for all who desire to learn, UW-Green Bay has been a leader in dual enrollment by starting the Rising Phoenix program to support rural students in high school in finding pathways into higher education while also increasing the number of traditionally underrepresented students at UW-Green Bay. The University has embraced digital transformation by modernizing its business practices, creating positive changes in using technology to enhance student learning and broadening our connections with students. Finally, during his tenure, UW-Green Bay has enhanced its connection with our region, enhanced the growth of its research profile, renewed and strengthened its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship and created a sustainable path forward for Green Bay Athletics and the Weidner Center.

 

Nancy Floyd : Nancy Floyd is the final Senior System Director for Research at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.  In this role she led a team to provide state and Federal compliance reporting on behalf of 26 public two-year institutions as well as seven comprehensive universities, as well as system effectiveness reporting and grant support.  Her past roles have included leading the institutional research effort at the University of South Carolina and North Carolina State University, 11 years as an IPEDS educator and training curriculum author, and five years’ service to the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC). 

 

Ronald Huesman: Ronald Huesman, Ph.D., is a Senior Analyst at the University of Minnesota's office of University Data and Institutional Reporting and a Principal Researcher with the Student Experience in the Research University Consortium at the University of California, Berkeley. With over 30 years in higher education, his research focuses on student success, retention, and the sense of belonging for underrepresented students. He currently leads a University of Minnesota System-wide initiative analyzing alumni outcomes to inform institutional policy and planning.

 

Megan Rozowski: Megan Rozowski is the director of research and policy development at the Minnesota Private College Council. She leads the Council’s research efforts, providing data and analysis to support the Council’s policy agenda and admissions work. She previously worked as a research analyst for a higher education net revenue management consulting company. Megan earned a B.A. in Economics from Carleton College and Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.