Transforming institutional data management with Airtable
Educational institutions face increasing challenges in managing complex workflows across departments. Airtable empowers universities and talent programs to unify data, enhance collaboration, and improve student and faculty experiences.
Pulse check, product in the AI era
60,000+
Applications processed in West Virginia University's Ascend WV Program
185%
Increase in membership within a year
4500+
Users leveraging Airtable at Teachers College, Columbia University
Unifying operations across higher education
From talent attraction/retention programs to academic planning, universities and institutions rely on structured data and seamless collaboration to operate efficiently. However, many still depend on outdated systems like Excel and fragmented tools that limit visibility and slow down decision-making.
Both Teachers College, Columbia University and West Virginia University's Ascend WV program (Ascend WV) turned to Airtable to transform their operations.
“We needed a flexible way to centralize data and improve collaboration across teams that are connected but operate separately. Airtable gave us that visibility while integrating seamlessly with our existing systems.”
Tackling siloed data and inefficient workflows
At Ascend West Virginia, managing applications and membership engagement was becoming overwhelming. With over 10,000 applications processed, their previous system struggled to handle growth, causing delays and inefficiencies.
Teachers College, Columbia University faced similar challenges in managing institutional partnerships, degree tracking, and space management. Teams lacked a centralized system for tracking faculty collaborations and enrollment programs, leading to data duplication and administrative bottlenecks.
By implementing Airtable:
Ascend WV automated application processing, interview tracking, and member engagement, scaling their program by 185% in one year.
Teachers College, Columbia University replaced Excel and integrated Salesforce, creating an end-to-end workflow for tracking institutional partnerships, academic planning, and administrative operations.
“Before Airtable, we relied on spreadsheets, sticky notes, and scattered data,” Blessing shares. “Now, everything is centralized, and teams can collaborate seamlessly.”
Leveraging AI and automations for efficiency
Both institutions have embraced AI and automations within Airtable to drive efficiency:
Ascend WV is integrating AI-powered metrics tracking, streamlining reporting requirements, budget allocation and compliance.
Teachers College, Columbia University is automating space management requests, reducing manual administrative work and improving response times.
“With Airtable, we’ve automated repetitive tasks and freed up staff time for higher-value work.”
The Results: scalable, collaborative, and data-driven education
By centralizing data and automating processes, these institutions have transformed their workflows:
185% Growth: Ascend West Virginia’s membership program scaled rapidly due to streamlined application processing.
End-to-End Visibility: Columbia University tracks institutional partnerships and degree programs with real-time data insights.
AI-Powered Efficiency: Automation has reduced administrative burdens and enhanced decision-making.
“Airtable has given us the ability to work smarter, not harder. It has transformed how we manage academic operations by automating minor day-to-day tasks and improving communication across the College.”
Looking ahead: the future of Airtable in education
Both institutions are expanding Airtable’s role within their organizations. Teachers College, Columbia University is exploring AI-driven insights to improve faculty research collaboration, while West Virginia University’s program is launching new grant-funded initiatives using Airtable’s real-time reporting features.
“Airtable isn’t just a tool—it’s the backbone of how we operate,” Paris concludes. “As our programs grow, Airtable grows with us.”
As more academic institutions embrace digital transformation, Airtable remains at the forefront of scalable, data-driven education management.