For as long as he can remember, Ansel Oakleaf has had an affinity for numbers and data. So, it wasn’t a surprising move when he began teaching math at a community college early in his career. But during that formative teaching role, Ansel discovered something about himself — a deep passion for helping students succeed.
Now, as associate director for impact and analytics at Ohio State’s University Libraries, Ansel continues to help students succeed — focusing on using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the student experience. “The university is putting a lot of effort into using AI to make education more accessible and effective,” Ansel explains. “My motivation is student success, and although I moved from teaching to institutional data roles, that’s the fundamental I keep coming back to.”
Impact and analytics in library programs
Whether figuring out what programs to prioritize or helping staff understand what to drop or keep to serve students better, Ansel’s goal is to use data to assist the University Libraries in making informed, impactful choices. He aims to streamline decision-making, better understand student needs and track progress to ensure the most effective initiatives are in place.
“AI gives us the tools to look at data in ways we haven’t been able to before,” Ansel says. “It’s a game-changer in understanding what’s truly making a difference and how we can adjust to better support students.”
His work with Ohio State's affordable textbook program is a key part of this effort. Initially managed outside the library, the program was recently brought under Ansel’s scope. “A big piece for me,” Ansel explains, “is auditing the data to ensure accuracy.”
Ansel also uses his expertise to dig deeper into the program’s reach. “No one had ever really assessed the impact before we decided to explore it,” Ansel says. In collaboration with Ohio State’s master’s program in translational data analytics, of which Ansel is an alum, he’s working with a team of students to analyze the data as part of a capstone project. Together, they’re uncovering patterns to understand how affordable resources affect learning outcomes and whether they can help level the playing field for students facing financial barriers.
"As we were getting started, someone said to me, ‘We really need this type of assessment,’ and that was exciting to hear,” Ansel says, reflecting on his excitement about the fundamental, tangible difference data analysis can make. “Knowing this work could make a difference keeps me motivated.”
Exploring synthetic data for privacy and analysis
In another innovative project, Ansel is exploring how AI and synthetic data can provide valuable insights without compromising personal information. This further collaboration with students from the translational data analytics program uses AI to generate synthetic data that mirrors real-world data, ensuring sensitive information remains protected. The project investigates how synthetic data can be used for meaningful analysis, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
Through his efforts, Ansel is helping shape a more accessible and efficient educational environment at Ohio State, where data-driven decisions ensure students have the support they need to thrive.
"We can embrace AI in a positive way,” he says, referring to the potential of artificial intelligence to improve access and student outcomes. "By leveraging AI, we can better understand and support the needs of our students, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed."
Ansel Oakleaf joined Ohio State in 2012 as a data analyst in the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. He has held various roles across the university, including overseeing reporting and analysis for the Office of Distance Education. He joined the University Libraries team as associate director for impact and analytics in 2024. Ansel earned a master’s degree in Translational Data Analytics from Ohio State.