Transform scattered information into strategic assets with someone who has data management and higher education expertise.
Master Your Data, Empower Your Decisions
Founder & Principal Consultant
Melissa Barnett, Ph.D., CDMP
Melissa is a higher education data professional specializing in data management, governance, analytics, strategy, and data literacy. She’s led data governance and literacy programs at Harvard, Georgia State, and MIT.
Before moving into data management, Melissa designed and led analytic studies of the student academic experience at Harvard and MIT.
Melissa shares her experience with fellow data professionals through EDUCAUSE Learning Labs and Institutes, and she writes, presents and speaks frequently about data matters in practitioner-oriented outlets.
In 2025, Melissa launched Limelight DataWorks to build and enhance data strategy, governance, analytics, and literacy across higher education institutions. The company name ‘Limelight’ is a nod to Melissa’s years on the stage as a singer of arias and classical music and data’s enduring role in the spotlight.
Learn more out my professional history on LinkedIn.
My Approach
People-Focused & Culture-First
Holistic Mindset
Keen Awareness of Higher Education Landscape
Committed to High-Quality, Valuable Outcomes
Services
01
Strategic Data Roadmapping
Melissa works with leadership to understand current data challenges, conduct a data & analytics assessment, identify high-value opportunities, and outline a phased roadmap that aligns with your institutional goals, strategic plan, and resources.
02
Build & Enhance Governance
For data management efforts to be truly effective for all in your community, data literacy is essential. Working alongside cross-unit teams, Melissa builds literacy programming that fits an institution’s needs, guided by the scope, scale, and resources
04
03
Enterprise-Wide Literacy Programming
Charting Analytic Ecosystem
Numerous business processes serve as the foundation of an institution’s analytics. Melissa identifies and documents business processes for critical analytics that your institution relies on, so when questions arise, the journey from data to analytics to visualizations is obvious.
Foundational data & business process documentation and operating models for data trustees, stewards, and custodians are essential. Melissa can guide existing teams, develop, or update the core elements of a governance program.
Your Questions, Answered
Who do you work with?
I work with all higher education institutions - community colleges, small liberal arts colleges, regional universities, state flagships, and research-focused institutions. I also work with professional organizations seeking practitioner-based presentations, courses, and workshops, and data management guidance.
I’m interested in speaking with you. How do we get started?
Complete the form below or schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery discussion with me.
How do I prepare for our initial discussion?
I encourage individuals meeting with me to come prepared to discuss their primary data and analytics goals, the current data and analytics landscape, their anticipated timeline, and their thoughts on our potential work structure (e.g., expert guidance, hands-on development).
Do you offer invoicing options?
Yes. I offer hourly and package rates, depending on your institution's preferred approach. Invoicing options are discussed in detail once you have received and reviewed my Scope of Work (SoW) for our proposed work engagement.
Let’s Get Started
Ready to see what optimized data can do for your organization? Reach out today to schedule a complimentary consultation and get started on a solution tailored to your institution’s unique goals and objectives.
