Director of Institutional Effectiveness

About Us

Middle Georgia State University (MGA), a multi-campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree-granting public institution, is the most affordable public state university in Georgia. MGA has five campuses-Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, all located in central Georgia-and global outreach through its fully-online campus. Its enrollment of 8,400 students is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia's 159 counties. The University has six academic schools, including Georgia's flagship aviation program, that support its mission to educate and graduate inspired, lifelong learners whose scholarship and careers enhance the state.

Job Summary

The Director of Institutional Effectiveness provides leadership for institutional effectiveness (IE) functions across the enterprise, building a comprehensive framework that establishes consistent divisional-level assessment practices aligned with the university's strategic priorities. The Director partners with academic and administrative units to build a culture of evidence-based decision-making and works closely with the Director of Institutional Research to ensure IE processes are grounded in reliable institutional data. The Director reports to the Chief Planning Officer/Vice President for Institutional Strategy.

Responsibilities

Institutional Effectiveness Framework and Divisional Assessment (30%)

• Develops and implements a university-wide institutional effectiveness framework that integrates assessment, program review, and continuous improvement processes across all divisions.
• Establishes divisional IE practices and assessment protocols that align with institutional strategic priorities and accreditation standards.
• Coordinates academic and administrative/support unit program review cycles and consults with unit leaders on assessment design and use of results.
• Partners with academic and administrative units to build a culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous quality improvement.
• Maintains institutional effectiveness documentation, assessment plans, and reporting systems to demonstrate ongoing compliance and improvement.

Accreditation Leadership (25%)

• Serves as MGA's institutional liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and serves as a key contributor to institutional and programmatic accreditation processes.
• Leads coordination of decennial and fifth-year reaffirmation processes, substantive change reporting, and ongoing monitoring of compliance with SACSCOC standards.
• Documents student achievement and institutional effectiveness outcomes in keeping with federal and accreditor requirements.
• Tracks specialized/programmatic accreditation activity across academic units and coordinates institutional support for those processes.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Strategy Support (20%)

• Serves as a key member of the institutional strategy team, contributing directly to the development, implementation, and monitoring of the university's integrated strategic plan.
• Collaborates with the Director of Institutional Research and the Chief Planning Officer/Vice President for Institutional Strategy to align IE and IR activities with strategic goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures.
• Develops and delivers regular reports and briefings to the President's Cabinet on institutional effectiveness outcomes and assessment findings, in coordination with the Vice President for Institutional Strategy, to inform strategic decision-making and institutional priorities.
• Provides effectiveness and assessment-based input for key strategic initiatives, including student success, academic program development, and resource allocation discussions.

Professional Development, Culture-Building, and Representation (15%)

• Designs and delivers professional development opportunities to build institutional capacity for assessment, program review, and data-informed practice.
• Serves as institutional representative to relevant University System of Georgia committees and professional organizations related to institutional effectiveness and assessment.
• Consults with and trains academic and administrative leaders on assessment methods, rubric design, and use of results for improvement.

Other Duties (5%)

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a master's degree in higher education administration, institutional research, assessment, or a closely related field.

Required Experience

Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand all the objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department in order to direct and coordinate work within the division/department, usually interpreted to require five (5) years of related work experience, including experience with SACSCOC or a comparable regional accreditor.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Doctoral degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within a multi-campus institution or university system environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing or restructuring an institutional effectiveness or assessment unit.
• Experience with decennial/fifth-year reaffirmation process and/or service as an accreditation evaluator.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of institutional effectiveness, assessment, and continuous improvement principles and practices in higher education.
• Knowledge of SACSCOC or a comparable regional accreditor's standards and reaffirmation/monitoring processes.
• Knowledge of program review methodologies for academic and administrative/support units.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, with the capacity to synthesize complex information from multiple sources.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate assessment findings and complex ideas clearly and concisely to all audiences.
• Ability to design and facilitate professional development and training sessions for faculty and staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex information into actionable insights.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Able to handle confidential materials professionally and with discretion.
• Ability to work collaboratively across divisions as well as independently.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values in what we do and represent: CORE VALUES: Stewardship - Engagement - Adaptability - Learning

Equal Employment Opportunity

Middle Georgia State University is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment that supports the dignity of all members of the University community. Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG) and Middle Georgia State University. Pursuant to Board of Regents Policy Section 6.6, federal and state laws and regulations, and our vision, mission, and values, Middle Georgia State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt (salaried) staff position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Retirement
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement

Background Check

Employment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material, and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.

Organization

One of 31 institutions in the University System of Georgia, Middle Georgia State was created in 2013 by the consolidation of Macon State College and Middle Georgia College.

Middle Georgia State College strives to offer bachelor's degrees that enhance the educational, economic, and cultural lives of Middle Georgians. Additionally, the college offers a wide array of associate's degrees that meet the educational interests of traditional and non-traditional students in the region. With low tuition, robust financial aid, a commitment to the success of each student and a vibrant residence life program on three of our five campuses, Middle Georgia State promises an affordable, challenging, and rewarding college experience leading to degrees of proven quality. Our success is measured best by the accomplishments of our graduates in their chosen professions, as well as by the contributions they make to their communities.