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Southern Oregon University · 2 months ago

Director of Assessment and Institutional Research

Southern Oregon/Ashland Campus

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$90K/yr - $115K/yr

3+ years exp

Southern Oregon University is seeking a Director of Assessment and Institutional Research to advance the university's strategic priorities through institutional assessment and research. The role includes overseeing accreditation processes and providing data-driven insights to support decision-making across the institution.

Higher Education

No H1B

Responsibilities

Leads, manages, and coordinates all aspects of the university's institutional assessment processes for academic programs, administrative units, and co-curricular activities, ensuring alignment with the university's mission and strategic goals

Serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), overseeing all aspects of the accreditation cycle, including preparing and submitting comprehensive self-study reports, interim reports, and substantive change proposals

Ensures ongoing compliance with NWCCU standards and policies, proactively identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies to address them

Develops and implements a systematic, cyclical assessment plan that integrates institutional planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement

Provides training, guidance, and support to academic and administrative units on assessment methodologies, data collection, analysis, and reporting

Facilitates the use of assessment results for program review, curriculum enhancement, and evidence-based decision-making across the university

Manages and maintains institutional assessment data and documentation to demonstrate effectiveness and support accreditation requirements

Serve as ex-officio member of relevant university committees related to institutional effectiveness and assessment

Directs and manages the university's Institutional Research (IR) function, including the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data to support strategic planning, operational effectiveness, and external reporting

Oversees the comprehensive collection and analysis of all enrollment data, including applications, admissions, matriculation, retention, progression, and graduation rates, providing timely reports and predictive models to inform enrollment management strategies

Manages all federal, state, and other external reporting requirements, including WICHE, SARA, NWCCU, HECC and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) surveys, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance

Develops and maintains a robust data infrastructure, including data definitions, data dictionaries, and data governance policies, in collaboration with IT and other relevant departments

Responds to ad-hoc data requests from university leadership, academic departments, administrative units, and external agencies, providing accurate and insightful analyses

Conducts institutional studies and analyses on key topics such as student success, faculty workload, resource utilization, and peer comparisons to support decision-making and continuous improvement

Utilizes advanced analytical and statistical methods to identify trends, forecast outcomes, and provide actionable recommendations

Presents complex data and analytical findings clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, faculty, and staff

Collaborates closely with the Provost, Provost’s Leadership Council, President's Cabinet and other university leaders to align assessment and IR activities with institutional priorities

Stays current with best practices in institutional effectiveness, assessment, accreditation, and institutional research in higher education

Contributes to the university's strategic planning processes by providing data-driven insights and analytical support

Fosters a culture of data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across the institution

Supervise and mentor IR staff and student workers, fostering their professional development

Qualification

Institutional ResearchAccreditation ProcessesData AnalysisStatistical SoftwareData VisualizationSupervisory ExperienceHigher Education KnowledgeCommunication SkillsProblem-SolvingProject ManagementCollaboration Skills

Required

Master's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, Public Policy, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related quantitative discipline

Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, institutional effectiveness, or assessment within a higher education setting

Demonstrated experience with regional accreditation processes, preferably with NWCCU, including direct involvement in self-study preparation and reporting

Proven experience in collecting, managing, analyzing, and reporting complex institutional data, including enrollment, student success, and operational metrics

Experience with IPEDS reporting and other federal/state compliance reporting

Experience supervising and developing professional staff

This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License

This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check

Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship