Inroads Analytics was formally launched in October 2019 out of a desire to preserve the private liberal arts education model. We exist to support our institutional clients in navigating the challenges of a shifting higher education landscape. This mission stems from the biblical example set by Aaron and Hur as they upheld Moses at the battle of Rephidim. It serves as a beacon that both guides and motivates our efforts. But how exactly did we arrive here?
It all began in 2017 at Taylor University with a conversation between Enrollment and IT. Despite several years of consistently increasing the prospect list, Taylor continued to face setbacks in attracting new students. They needed a game changer. The two departments collaborated on the development of a statistical analytics software to predict student progression through the enrollment funnel. The end result was the rAdmit system which leverages predictive modeling and machine learning methods to visualize the university’s historical data.
The implementation was a resounding success (read the case study). After two promising recruiting cycles, Taylor began looking for a business partner to bring the solution to market. Inroads Analytics was born as a joint venture between Taylor and a team of technology leaders with proven results in cloud software. Inroads built inSuite Educate as a SaaS platform to improve the usability and access of rAdmit, alongside the other tools in the package.
We operate with the understanding that data can be slanted to manipulate us to see relative truth instead of the real truth. A fascinating book by Cathy O’Neil called “Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy” lays out real world scenarios showing how big data has been misused for personal gain and social manipulation. With that in mind, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” – I Corinthians 16:13-14
Institutions everywhere can now embrace the future, as we enable them to transform their enrollment process, and reach ever more challenging organizational goals!
