HIGHER EDUCATION DATA CONSULTING
Data clarity for higher education leadership and their communities.
I work with colleges and universities — community colleges, small liberal arts colleges, regional universities, state flagships, and research-focused institutions — building the data strategy, governance, and literacy each one needs to achieve their goals.
Community Colleges
Liberal Arts Colleges
Regional Universities
State Flagships
Research Universities
How I Can Help You?
Data Strategy
Work with leadership to align data initiatives with institutional priorities and assess institutional maturity and readiness.
Data Governance
Collaborate with data leaders to develop the necessary scaffolding — documentation, processes, and operating model — to ensure data is accurate, reliable, and secure.
Data Fluency
Customize accessible data learning opportunities — programs, trainings, & workshops — for all community members that enhance confidence with data across teams.
Practical, hands-on guidance — across all levels of your institution — from a data professional who is a higher-ed native, a skilled practitioner-educator, and a keen observer.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Take a Free Assessment.
A free 10-minute self-assessment across five data governance pillars — see your readiness score instantly.
ABOUT LIMELIGHT DATAWORKS
Led by a data storyteller, not just a data analyst.
Founder and Principal Consultant Melissa Barnett built her career as a data analyst and led data governance and data literacy efforts at Harvard University, Georgia State University, and MIT before founding Limelight DataWorks in 2025. ‘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.
Ph.D.
Sociology, quantitative and stratification-focus
CDMP
WOSB
Certified Woman-Owned Small Business (Federal & GA)
Certified Data Management Professional
Prosci
Certified Change Management Practitioner
EDUCAUSE
Frequent Instructor & Presenter
01
Discovery Call
How I Work With You
A complimentary 30-minute conversation about your data and analytics goals, current landscape, and timeline.
02
Scope of Work
A clear proposal outlining deliverables, timeline, and engagement structure — expert guidance or hands-on build.
03
Flexible Engagement
Rates tailored to your institution's preferred approach and budget.
Upcoming Learning Events
Data Storytelling — EDUCAUSE Learning Lab
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 3:00 PM – Thu, Sep 10, 2026, 4:30 PM
Are you seeking to strengthen your storytelling skills using data? Join Mike Kelly and me for our third iteration of this popular Learning Lab.
Designing Data Literacy Programs to Strengthen Data Culture — EDUCAUSE Learning Lab
Tue, Dec 1, 2026, 3:00 PM – Thu, Dec 10, 2026, 4:30 PM
Wondering how to build a data literacy program at your institution? Join Heather Epstein-Diaz, Ivana Fredotovic, Susan Metzger Gracia, and me for this inaugural Learning Lab covering purpose, materials, content, and sustainability. Look for EDUCAUSE registration this summer.
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Ready to see what optimized data can do for your institution?
Reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation and get started on a solution tailored to your goals.