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The Dr. Jason Simon Data Champion Award honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in using student-centered data to guide decisions that promote student success. Named after Dr. Jason Simon, a longtime UNT leader with more than 31 years of higher education experience  — including 13 years focused on data, analytics and institutional research — this award reflects his commitment to leveraging higher education data to improve student outcomes at the departmental, divisional and institutional levels. Dr. Simon retired from UNT in June 2025 after more than 17 years at the university.

In recognition of Dr. Simon’s dedication to student success through data-informed practices, this award spotlights those who not only analyze and apply student data effectively but also lead in cultivating a culture of evidence-based decision-making within the university community. The winner will be formally recognized during the Student Portraits Data Symposium April 30, 2026.

All UNT faculty and staff members are invited to nominate a colleague who has shown exceptional commitment, innovation and impact in using student data to advance student outcomes. Your nomination helps us celebrate a true data champion making a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

The nomination deadline for the 2026 Jason Simon Data Champion Award was February 13, 2026. If you have any questions or would like to submit a late nomination, please email spds@unt.edu.

criteria

Nominations should include specific evidence of the following:

  • Use of Student-Centric Data: How does the nominee demonstrate exemplary use of student-centric data to inform decision-making?
  • Impact on Student Success: In what specific ways has the nominee’s use of data contributed to improvements in student success, retention, persistence, or other student-centered outcomes.
  • Example of Innovation or Best Practice: Share an example of a creative, innovative, or particularly effective way the nominee has applied student data in their work.
  • Evidence of Championing Data Culture: How has the nominee encouraged or influenced others (faculty, staff, administrators) to use student data in meaningful ways within the university community?

If you have any questions, please contact the Student Portraits Data Symposium Team at spds@unt.edu.