An innovative collaboration is turning local data into local insights
Grow’s mission to support data-informed decision-making across the Greater Evansville Region recently sparked an exciting connection. Following a SAVI 101 session, Grow connected The Polis Center at the IU–Indianapolis Luddy School of Informatics with Dr. Omid Khormali, who teaches at the University of Evansville (UE), to lead a team of Change Lab students in a semester-long project.
The project focused on creating a new data visualization platform for Southern Indiana schools. Modeled after the School Insights Portal for Marion County, this new interactive platform — Southern Indiana School Insights— makes complex data from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) easier to explore and understand. Covering eight counties—Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick—this tool uses R Shiny and mapping software to provide an accessible, visual way for policymakers, educators, community leaders, researchers, and residents to grasp school trends across the region.
UE students Jacob Bettag, Max Hansmann, Vivi Heflick, and Rakhmatillo Rayimjonov presented their project and process to leaders from the UE Change Lab, Evansville Promise Neighborhood, UE Math Department, The Polis Center, Welborn Baptist Foundation, Grow, and the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. Their presentation highlighted data cleansing of IDOE datasets, lessons learned in developing with R Shiny, and valuable experience working in collaborative, real-world partnerships.
This collaboration is a great example of how Grow acts as a hub connecting nonprofits and higher education to better understand our region through data—turning local data into local insights that lead to smarter, more informed decisions.
Take Action:
Explore the Southern Indiana School Insights platform to see how local schools are performing—and think about how this data might shape your decisions, conversations, or community efforts.
Interested in learning more about SAVI or data-informed decision making?
- Email to schedule a SAVI 101
- Become a SAVI Super User
- Check out upcoming trainings on Grow
