FLSA EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY: Salaried; Exempt; Administrative, 12 months
DEPARTMENT: Provost Office
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Institutional Research Associate will perform research duties that contribute to the college’s mission and planning. This individual will also ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements including completion of applicable surveys and reports.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
This position reports to the Associate Provost for Assessment and Institutional Research.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Compile data from a variety of sources including internal databases, the college’s enterprise resource system, government agencies, higher education consortia, national databases, and peer and aspirant institutions.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of campus databases to track student progress, activities, and learning outcomes.
• Protect the confidentiality of all college information using acquired data only to perform authorized duties and releasing information consistent with campus policies and applicable state and federal law.
• Assist the Associate Provost in translating data into understandable reporting formats including dashboards, graphs, charts, presentations, and discussion forums.
• Serve as the college’s institutional research liaison for Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS), Michigan Independent Colleges & University (MICU), Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and other consortia.
• Assure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements including the coordination and completion of applicable surveys and reports. Respond to regular and ad hoc requests for institutional data from external agencies such as IPEDS, Common, HEDS, etc.
• Assist in the development, management, and reporting of results of official college surveys.
• Assist in providing Qualtrics support to those having questions about or technical difficulties with surveys.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative and research-oriented field.
• Proficiency in database development and data extraction from varying sources.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Discretion to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and/or personal information.
• Ability to be productive and collaborative when working remotely.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience in institutional research, including the IPEDS data center, Common Dataset, National Student Clearinghouse.
• Experience with Excel, SQL, SPSS, Qualtrics, Tableau, and Ellucian Colleague software.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
While serving in this position, the Institutional Research Associate will develop skills in:
• Visualizing data using Tableau, Excel, and similar software.
• Effectively administering internal surveys in Qualtrics.
• Manipulating and analyzing complex, high-volume data using multivariate statistical techniques in Excel and SPSS.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work at a computer for up to eight hours a day. Actively participate in meetings across the campus.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested candidates need to submit an Alma College employment application, a current résumé, and contact information for three references via email to careers@alma.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately.
Alma College is classified as a selective Baccalaureate College: Diverse Fields by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Committed to academic excellence and development of responsible leaders, Alma’s students thrive on challenging academic programs in a supportive, small-college environment emphasizing active, collaborative learning and close student-faculty interaction. Alma is a private Phi Beta Kappa institution located in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Alma College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
Alma College recognizes that we are all transformed when we celebrate and value the varied identities backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in our campus community. We are committed to recognizing and removing barriers to success and providing equitable access to opportunities through education and advocacy. In our increasingly diverse campus and world, we pledge to create a climate where everyone is safe and free to grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. For more information about the College, visit www.alma.edu.