Institutional Research Assistant

The Institutional Research Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research is responsible for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting institutional data to support decision-making, planning, assessment, accreditation, and compliance efforts across the University. This position requires a high degree of analytical skill, independent judgment, discretion with confidential information, and the ability to interpret complex data to inform institutional policy and operations.

Duties:

·       Independently plan and execute complex data analyses in response to requests from internal stakeholders (e.g., senior leadership, academic departments) and external agencies (e.g., IPEDS, accrediting bodies).

·       Develop data models, dashboards, and visualizations that identify trends and support institutional decision-making and strategic planning.

·       Exercise discretion and judgment in determining appropriate methodologies for analyzing data, interpreting ambiguous requests, and prioritizing competing data demands.

·       Ensure legal compliance with FERPA and other privacy regulations in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of sensitive institutional and personnel data.

·       Design and maintain recurring reports such as enrollment projections, retention and persistence trends, and performance metrics aligned with institutional KPIs.

·       Lead the development of the University Factbook, including analysis, layout design, and stakeholder review cycles.

·       Collaborate with departments and academic leadership to interpret findings, offer recommendations, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

·       Liaise with Institutional Effectiveness, Academic Affairs, and IT to improve data quality, governance, and reporting systems.

·       Prepare written summaries and presentations for executive leadership and board members that explain research results and implications clearly and accurately.

·       Stay current on trends in higher education data reporting, research practices, and compliance obligations.

·       Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the analytical, judgment-based nature of the role.

Required Skills

Language Ability:

• Facility with the English language, including the ability to speak and write with clarity and to communicate with accurate grammar and syntax when preparing reports.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.

Math Ability:

• Demonstrated Math Competency—including mandatory skills with fractions, percentages, ratios.
1. Skills in statistical methods, forecasting and trend analysis also are valuable

Data Literacy:

• Data mapping skills are preferred for data reporting with demonstrated ability to take complex data sets and map them out in a readable format that both distills and conveys the overarching essence of the data being represented.

Reasoning Ability:

·       Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

·       Ability to work under pressure with attention to relevant project timelines so as to meet deadlines.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Excel with use of Pivot Tables; MS Word, including basic word processing with an ability to create tables, charts, and graphs.
• General knowledge of SQL Banner database is preferred.
• Basic skills in computer navigation, and in database management expected.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Required Experience

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in math, computer science, business, economics, finance; or some other field that conveys competence in data management or quantitative methods required; Master’s degree preferred. 2+ years of experience in institutional research, data analytics, or related field.  Consideration will be given for acceptable combination of education and relevant experience.

Wage Range: $26 - $31 per hour, plus generous benefits including:

• Comprehensive health coverage available

• Tuition Assistance (spouse and dependent eligibility)

• 10 Paid Holidays

• FSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identity Protection Services, and more!