Faculty: Bharathwaj Vijayakumar, Assistant VP-Institutional Data & Analytics

This workshop will demonstrate how AI agents can transform the way employees at Rowan University access and interact with institutional data. Attendees will learn how conversational AI agents can provide immediate answers to enrollment and institutional reporting questions using natural language. The session will feature live demonstrations of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)  Agent and Census Enrollment Data Agent developed by Rowan University’s Institutional Data & Analytics (IDA) team. These agents provide access to institutionally governed, definition-based data aligned with official reporting standards and census reporting practices. Attendees will see how users can ask follow-up questions conversationally to refine, compare, summarize, and reshape results in real time. The workshop will focus on practical, end-user applications and highlight how AI agents can improve efficiency, reduce reporting bottlenecks, and expand access to trusted institutional information across university offices. The session will also highlight the importance of governance, institutional definitions, and validated data practices when using AI-driven reporting solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice querying the agents directly during the session. A laptop is required to participate in the hands-on exercises. For virtual attendees, dual monitors are recommended so you can follow the instructions on one screen while working through the exercises on the other.

Learning objectives: 

• Learn how to query the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Census Enrollment agents using natural language questions.
• Use iterative prompts to filter, compare, summarize, and reformat institutional data outputs.
• Understand how AI agents provide rapid access to institutionally validated and definition-driven data while reducing reliance on traditional reporting requests.