Analysis of student-level data to inform policy and promote student success is a core function of executive higher education agencies. Postsecondary data systems have expanded their collection of data elements for use by policymakers, institutional staff, and the general public. State coordinating and governing boards use these data systems for strategic planning, to allocate funding, establish performance metrics, evaluate academic programs, and inform students and their families. The State Higher Education Executive Officers association (SHEEO) surveyed state coordinating and governing boards on their collection and use of postsecondary student-level data. Following this, SHEEO identified seven states whose survey responses indicated an exemplary use of data in specific subject areas. In-person interviews were conducted by SHEEO agency staff in seven states selected for follow-up. In 2015, SHEEO visited the University of North Carolina to discuss teacher preparation data, reverse transfer, and database structures. In complex political and social environments where the demand for transparency and accountability is on the rise, the University of North Carolina (UNC) has succeeded in meeting that demand through its development of an integrated, public, postsecondary data system designed to meet the diverse needs of key stakeholders including policymakers, institution leaders, faculty, students, and communities. This paper highlights the innovative work of the University of North Carolina, including its collaboration with the state's 58 community colleges. The system's new Interactive Data Dashboard offers other institutions of higher education a model for transforming the nature and application of institutional data. This paper also provides an in-depth examination of UNC's approach to accountability and transparency with intentionality around collaboration.