Director of the Center for Student Analytics (Program Manager)

Company: Utah State University
Location: Logan
Posted on: June 5, 2021

Job Description:

The Center for Student Analytics was created at Utah State University (USU) in 2017 as a way of merging the availability of institutional data to the essential goal of ensuring student success. The Center continues to discover, expose, synthesize and present meaningful, insights into helping USU meet mission-critical areas of focus. Housed within the Division of Academic and Instructional Services (AIS) the Center focuses, coordinating with other offices and departments, on the many parts of the student lifecycle, from recruiting/admissions to graduation/completion.

The position of Director and Senior Data Analyst is the administrative lead of the Center and reports directly to the Vice President for AIS. The Director will (1) apply knowledge and understanding of the scientific discipline of predictive analytics and related technology to the area of student success and institutional outcomes; (2) consult as subject matter expert in the field of student analytics and use technical knowledge to provide, monitor, and customize analytics systems for clients; (3) Create and present training materials as needed and implement projects that inform best university practices that lead to desired student success and institutional outcomes; (4) Oversee the design and implementation of analytics projects in the area of student success and institutional effectiveness that have regional and national relevance and disseminate findings through appropriate channels; and (5) Plan and manage the day-to-day fiscal, administrative, and operational activities of the Center for Student Analytics and its personnel.

• Identify opportunities to collect and increase the accessibility of actionable data to staff, administrators, and faculty, with proper transparency and data governance.
• Oversee the use of advanced techniques of data science to construct robust statistical models that reveal actionable patterns within the institution's data.
• Supervise the creation of dynamic visualizations that support professional consumption of data and subsequent improvements in informed decision making by staff, faculty, and administration, specifically related to student success.
• Provide active training on an ongoing basis to catalyze enhanced data literacy and professional efficacy.
• Support data-informed action that leads to increased institutional outcomes, with a focus in the areas of student success.
• Keep abreast of current publications relative to methods, techniques, and developments within higher education analytics and associated domains of administration.
• Assess general and specific evidence of the success and value of analytics and disseminate such evidence in appropriate venues, both in collaboration with research faculty and for the ancillary purpose of procuring external funding.
• Facilitate ongoing collaboration amongst the USHE institutions related to enhanced deployment of analytics.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Center for Student Analytics including setting vision and goals, directing personnel and making and keeping budgets.
• On a regular basis, inform key constituents of the overall findings of student analytics.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters' degree in statistics, student affairs, mathematics, information systems, or related field and five years of related work experience.
• Be familiar with the knowledge of research and information gathering methods and procedures, especially in the higher education setting.
• Be familiar and some experience with grant development, implementation, budgeting, fiscal control, and reporting.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Skilled at records maintenance.
• Proven ability to lead and train staff and/or students.
• Ability to interact effectively with students, faculty and/or staff in a team environment.
• Skilled in the knowledge and practice of communication principles, media, and marketing techniques.
• Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports.
• Ability to exercise a high level of creativity, decision making, problem solving, and discretion as work is varied and may be undefined.
• Be a team player, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
• Proven ability to work with and through others at all levels of the institution in order to meet the goals and objectives of the institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a related field plus 3 years of related work experience
• Demonstrated expertise in the knowledge of research and information gathering methods and procedures in higher education.
• Familiarity with diverse university systems (especially those associated with student services), procedures, and data collection protocols.
• Demonstrated expertise in grant development, implementation, budgeting, fiscal control, and reporting.
• Proven leadership experience in higher education setting, especially in areas related to student success.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1) Resume to be uploaded in the Candidate Profile

2) Cover Letter that describes your qualifications related to the position to be typed/pasted into a text box at the end of the application

3) Leadership Philosophy statement to be typed/pasted into a text box at the end of the application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees typically work in an office environment and are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes. However, in certain instances employees may work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions. Employees could be exposed to hazardous chemicals.  Employees nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).  Bending and stooping is occasionally required. Employees nearly continuously listen, hear, and talk.

Utah State University's Academic and Instructional Services division is committed to student success by working across the USU Land Grant System—serving and supporting faculty, staff, and students wherever they are located—to advance USU's capacity and reputation to build, deliver, and support academic excellence (teaching and learning), with a focus on quality, accessibility, and innovation. AIS supports a student's journey, from their first point of contact with USU and forward, helping them achieve their higher education goals.

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is honored to be Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is a Carnegie RU/H (Research University/High Research Activity) institution with approximately 27,700 students (24,660 undergraduates and 3,040 graduate students) on the Logan main campus. Utah State’s statewide system features eight campuses and 23 education centers and serves all counties in the state with Extension programs. USU offers 114 undergraduate majors, 132 graduate programs, and a variety of innovative stackable associate and certificate credentials. Washington Monthly ranked USU 14th in their national university rankings in 2019 and the 5th best public national university in the nation in 2018. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU is proud to provide a high-quality education at an affordable price. Additional information about Utah State University can be found here.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah; a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Alison Adams-Perlac, alison.adams-perlac@usu.edu, Old Main Rm. 161, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Hilary Renshaw, titleix@usu.edu, Old Main Rm. 161, 435-797-1266.

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of EducationOffice of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

Keywords: Utah State University, Logan , Director of the Center for Student Analytics (Program Manager), Other , Logan, Utah