Job Description

Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Research

, in partnership with the national search firm , invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Research . Wilson College seeks an innovative, collaborative thinker who uses data to drive decisions and clearly communicates emerging trends.

The Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Research provides leadership, collaborates, and supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive institutional research program and assessment initiatives to support the College's mission and strategic goals. The director partners with academic and administrative offices to develop and manage comprehensive institutional research that support the curricular, analytical, informational, reporting and accreditation needs of the College. The director is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating a wide range of data related to Wilson's academic and business operations. As demands for assessment and quality improvement continue to increase for higher education, the director will provide a high level of expertise with planning, training, and oversight in support of continuous, data-informed improvement in teaching, learning, and educational and institutional effectiveness. The director will assist the academic deans in the review and evaluation of the success of courses and programs and will assist senior leadership in the examination of operational improvement processes that align with the College's mission and strategic plan. This position works with various campus-wide offices to collect, analyze, and disseminate data aligned with the College's learning outcomes. Critical to this position is the focus on using the results and tracking the College's recommendations and next steps to ensure attention to improving student learning and operational efficiencies.

Responsibilities:

General Leadership & Support

The Director provides strategic leadership and collaborative support across all functional areas of Institutional Effectiveness and Research, fostering a campus-wide culture of data-informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and assessment-driven planning.

Institutional Research

• Lead the development and maintenance of the College's data strategy and data-informed decision-making culture.
• Organize and implement the systematic collection, analysis, and retention of data to support institutional planning and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate and manage the institutional research program to ensure the timely availability of accurate data for internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as the institutional Key Holder for IPEDS and coordinate all institutional data reporting.
• Monitor changes in federal, state, and MSCHE policies to ensure institutional compliance.
• Maintain current datasets and develop a College Factbook with historical data and trend analyses.
• Conduct research on higher education trends and provide comparative analyses between Wilson and peer/aspirant institutions.
• Support grant development and performance tracking by providing relevant data for proposals and reporting.
• Lead special projects and complete additional duties as assigned by the VPAA.

Academic Assessment

• Support the academic deans as they lead the faculty in academic assessment planning (across all programs, including general education), analysis, and utilization of assessment data.
• With the academic deans, advise programs in all phases of program assessment including program review, particularly regarding the design or refinement of student learning outcomes.
• Support the academic deans in the development of workshops that provide opportunities and support for faculty and administrators through best practices in assessment of student learning.
• Work with existing governance structures and designated committees as needed to provide support for assessment of student learning outcomes.
• Provide oversight and reporting on course evaluations.

Institutional Assessment & Effectiveness

• Maintain and annually update the College's Assessment Handbook, supporting departments in meeting annual planning and assessment goals.
• Track and report progress on Strategic Plan initiatives, including development of quarterly dashboards for each initiative.
• Assist departments in survey development, administration, and analysis to inform institutional effectiveness efforts.

Accreditation

• Serve as the Key Contact to MSCHE, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, submission of Substantive Change requests, and completion of the Annual Institutional Update.
• Provide support to programs undergoing discipline-specific accreditation (e.g., NLN/CNEA, CVTEA, CAPTE, ACOTE, CAA).
• Assist the VPAA and campus stakeholders in preparing research-informed reports for state and federal accrediting bodies.

College Enterprise Data and Reporting Systems

• Serve on the Core Team that governs operational standards for the Ellucian Colleague Student and Financial systems.
• Identify gaps in data management and reporting; partner with IT and departments to transition data from shadow systems to Colleague.
• Ensure usability and training for Watermark's Planning and Self-Study platform.
• Create dashboards and written reports using standard reporting and analysis tools; assist departments in report generation from enterprise systems.
• Collaborate with IT to assess and support campus-wide reporting and data warehousing needs.

Supervisory

• Supervise the Assistant Director of Institutional Research and any student workers.
• Assign tasks, monitor performance, approve leave, and provide professional development opportunities.

Other Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the President's Senior Leadership Team.
• Prepare, manage, and oversee the Institutional Effectiveness and Research budget.
• Represent the College at national and regional meetings (e.g., AICUP, MSCHE, AIR).
• Recommend purchases of software, hardware, and supplies to support research and reporting functions.

Core Competencies:

• Data-Informed Decision Making
• Demonstrates the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to guide institutional planning, assessment, and strategic initiatives. Uses evidence-based approaches to support continuous improvement and academic excellence.
• Strategic Thinking
• Anticipates future trends and identifies opportunities to align institutional effectiveness initiatives with the College's mission and long-term goals. Balances short-term needs with long-term vision.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building
• Effectively builds and maintains strong working relationships across departments. Fosters a culture of trust, inclusivity, and transparency in collaborative efforts.
• Communication
• Translates complex data into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences. Communicates findings and recommendations through well-structured reports, dashboards, and presentations.
• Leadership & Mentorship
• Provides guidance and support to teams, faculty, and staff. Inspires others toward a shared vision of institutional effectiveness and promotes professional development in assessment and research practices.
• Project & Change Management
• Manages multiple projects and deadlines with efficiency and flexibility. Supports institutional change through thoughtful planning, implementation, and communication.
• Systems & Technology Fluency
• Demonstrates proficiency with enterprise systems, data platforms, and reporting tools. Identifies opportunities to improve data systems and streamline reporting processes.
• Ethical Practice & Integrity
• Exhibits sound judgment and maintains confidentiality and integrity in all aspects of data management, reporting, and institutional compliance.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in educational research, evaluation, higher education, behavioral or social sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in institutional research, assessment, or related functions within higher education.

An equivalent combination of education and extensive experience will be considered.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) standards and accreditation processes, including student learning assessment requirements.
• Familiarity with IPEDS, NCES, and other higher education data reporting tools and protocols.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and working knowledge of institutional systems such as Learning Management Systems (Canvas preferred), survey and assessment tools, and data analysis platforms; SQL experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative research methods to institutional planning and assessment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets and apply findings to support institutional goals.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and data integrity.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

About Wilson College:

, a liberal arts institution in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, is dedicated to providing students with a valuable, affordable college education that prepares them for success beyond graduation. For nearly 150 years, the College has remained committed to meeting students' evolving needs through personalized support, innovative resources, and a forward-thinking approach to learning.

Set on a beautiful 300-acre campus listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wilson offers an inspiring environment with gracious lawns, rolling hills, and the Conococheague Creek running through its grounds. The campus features a range of dist

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