OCAIR

Welcome to OCAIR

We are committed to help our members grow professionally through information/experience exchange, professional network expansion, and peer support on any institutional research related domain. Although OCAIR was founded by a group of Chinese ethnic origin IR professionals and currently most members have Chinese ethnic backgrounds, it is culturally inclusive and welcomes any colleagues in IR related fields to join.

Overseas Chinese Association of Institutional Research (OCAIR) was founded in 1996 at the 36th Annual Forum of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It became an official Affiliated Organizations (AOs) of AIR in October 1998.  

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Announcement

  • 2024 Chair’s announcements
  • Dr. Kelly Lin was elected Chair for the 2025-2026 term.
  • Dr. Juan Xu and Joe McLaughlin from Clemson University, with their presentation Developing An Analytics Tool For Undergraduate Advisor Resource Management, were awarded the 2024 Best Presentation Award. 

          Previous webinars

Who are OCAIR Members?

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"I came to know about OCAIR in the late 1990s when I first attended the AIR Forum in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, as a beginner of institutional research, I met some of the veterans of institutional research who reached out to me and welcomed me with open arms. “I benefited tremendously from my association with OCAIR and its members. We are a vibrant professional organization that is collaborative, supportive, and respectful. Most importantly, we have talented people who always have good ideas for solving almost all problems. I am so proud to be a member of our big OCAIR family. "

Henry Zheng, PhD, MBA

Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning | Carnegie Mellon University

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“I joined OCAIR in 2005, when I just started my first IR job. OCAIR was one of the most important sources to my IR questions, and its members were so knowledgeable and friendly. Over the years as an OCAIR member, I have served as the member-at-large in 2010 and the chair in 2022. I encourage more OCAIR members to consider getting involved in OCAIR programs and leadership positions, as what you can learn from this experience can undoubtedly transform your life in the most positive way."

Yang Zhang, PhD, MBA

Former IR Director at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

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“A member since 2007, I have benefited tremendously from the knowledge and mentorship of our members. OCAIR is a unique community in many ways. We come from different countries and regions, and most of us must navigate through the complex web of social, political, and cultural relations in a new country using a language that is not our mother tongue. We discover otherness in ourselves and see ourselves in others. This is a space that is safe and nurturing, a space where we support each other professionally and personally.”

Wen (Helen) Qi, PhD

Director of Faculty Analytics, Indiana University Bloomington

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“OCAIR is a great organization. Its training sessions significantly helped my professional development and career growth. In addition, the OCAIR members are very knowledgeable and keen on providing valuable insights to IR related questions.”

Ying Liu, PhD

Assistant Provost, Institutional Effectiveness and Analysis, Florida Atlantic University

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Become a Sponsor

To expand programs that can further help OCAIR members advancing their careers as future leaders in higher education, we would like to explore ways to pursue partnerships from credible organizations and entities. By partnering with OCAIR, your program will receive unique exposure on an international scale while helping support OCAIR members in their professional development journey. 

Why Joining OCAIR

The Overseas Chinese Association of Institutional Research (OCAIR) offers its members career advancement opportunities through professional development events, access to a diverse network of higher education professionals, support for data-informed decision-making, and international exposure. Joining OCAIR provides a unique opportunity for members to enhance their careers and make a positive impact in higher education.