Microsoft Excel is an indispensable tool in today’s data-driven landscape. Proficiency in Excel enables education professionals to efficiently manage, analyze, and interpret data—skills essential for evidence-based decision-making and effective program implementation.
📈 When used intentionally, Excel becomes more than just a spreadsheet—it becomes a tool for transformation. You can monitor progress, evaluate impact, and continuously strengthen GEAR UP programming.
“Excel is the Swiss Army knife of the modern workplace.”
🧠 Yet, despite its power, Excel is rarely part of formal educator training.Many GEAR UP professionals—like program coordinators and advisors—are self-taught users who have developed their skills through trial and error and out of necessity. This reality underscores the importance of intentional, targeted training opportunities that build capacity and confidence with data tools.
💡What Makes This Course Series Different?
✔️ Built by Excel experts who also understand GEAR UP
🕒 Available anytime—complete it at your own pace
📄 Supporting handouts and datasets provided for your reference
🎥 Access to review videos
✅ Knowledge checks for understanding
📈 From fundamentals to advanced techniques—all in one series
“If knowledge is power, Excel is the power tool.”
📚Course List: Build Skills One Click at a Time
Whether taken individually or as a complete series, the workshops build practical Excel skills with real-world GEAR UP applications.
| 📘 Course | 🎯 Focus |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Excel | Navigating, formatting, basic functions |
| Functions & Formulas | Logical, text, and math formulas |
| Data Validation | Dropdowns, error alerts, clean data |
| Freeze, Sort, and Filter | Data organization techniques |
| Conditional Formatting | Highlighting trends and red flags |
| Lookup Functions | VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, XLOOKUP |
| Pivot Tables I & II | Aggregating, slicing, and exploring data |
| Data Visualization | Turning numbers into clear visuals |
| Dashboard Series | Building dynamic summaries and charts |
Each session is designed to stand alone while also building toward a comprehensive skill set for using data to strengthen your program.
“Learning Excel is like learning to ride a bike—you’ll use it for the rest of your life.”
👥Who Should Participate?
🎓GEAR UP Site Coordinators
📋Program Managers
📊Evaluation and Data Staff
🪄College Access Partners
🗂️Any staff working with student data or service tracking
No prior experience is required, just a desire to grow your technical skills and improve how you use data to support student success.
“Excel turns everyday professionals into everyday problem solvers.”
✨ Ready to Begin? ✨
Visit the Xcalibur Absorb platform to get started. Once there, you can review the full course catalog and select the workshops that best align with your learning goals.
There’s never been a better time to boost your skills—and we’re excited to be on this journey with you. Let’s GEAR UP… together! 🛠️🦸♀️💪🕶️📊💥
