"Research Analyst, Academic Affairs"

Collects, analyzes, and reports governed institutional data, in collaboration with IT Services and Institutional Research. Provides timely, accurate, and actionable data insights to support academic planning, enrollment management, and institutional decision-making. Develops and delivers regular and ad hoc reports to meet external reporting requirements and internal data needs. Designs interactive dashboards to support institutional planning, decision-making, and process improvement.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Serves as a reporting resource for the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) and the academic colleges by producing routine and strategic analyses. Utilizes campus data systems—including Power BI and Ellucian Banner, with access limited to running reporting queries created and approved by IT Services—as well as other approved analytical tools to develop reports, dashboards, and visualizations that support strategic initiatives, policy development, and performance monitoring. Does not create, modify, or maintain Banner queries without working directly with IT services.
• Designs and develops dashboards and reports in Power BI for internal and external stakeholders. May use SQL within governed reporting environments provided by IT Services.
• Collaborates with IT Services on process improvements, automation, or enhancements needed to support reporting workflows.
• Interprets data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities that impact academic planning, program performance, and enrollment strategies. Provides actionable insights that inform decision-making related to program viability, student success, faculty workload, and resource allocation.
• Develops dashboards and analyses using institutional KPIs and definitions established in collaboration with IR and IT Services. Supports strategic initiatives such as the Academic Master Plan (AMP), Strategic Enrollment Plan (SEP), and program review processes with data-driven recommendations.
• Applies institutional data governance standards established by Institutional Research (IR), IT Services, and the Data Governance and Integrity Advisory Committee; validates, cleans, and integrates data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and security.
• Supports continuous quality improvement initiatives for reporting, analytics, and data integrity.
• Develops, implements, maintains, and executes routine standardized and ad hoc reports and common data sets.
• Works with IR staff, processes, and tools to provide supplemental capacity during high-demand periods. Ensures the daily function of operations and services related to any assigned program, initiative, or objective. Collaborates with IR to align data definitions, metrics, and reporting standards.
• Crosstrains on IR's core reporting processes, tools, and datasets to provide ad hoc support during peak workload periods. Supports IR function as needed and as assigned. Trains OAA staff and faculty leaders in accessing and interpreting data dashboards and reports.
• Partners with IT Services to ensure use of governed data sources, consistent reporting logic, and secure access.
• Serves as a liaison between OAA, IR, IT Services, and academic departments. Maintains active communication with IR to ensure consistent methodology and avoid data duplication. Serves as the first point of contact for data requests in relation to program accreditation, departmental grant request, and HLC data requests.
• Documents data procedures, reporting protocols, and process standards to ensure consistency and transparency.

Other Functions and Responsibilities:

Assists with training new hires. Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.

Equipment Operated:

Computer and all other standard office equipment.

Work Schedule:

Typically, Monday through Friday.

Supervision Exercised:

May exercise supervision over student employees.

Reports to:

Academic Marketing and Enrollment Strategy Officer

Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures:

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: common business technology platforms and/or operating systems; university policies and procedures*; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives*; department/division policies and procedures*; workplace safety practices and procedures*; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management.

Skill in: attention to detail; organization; problem solving in complex technology environments; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department*.

Ability to: commit to data accuracy; translate complex data into clear, actionable insights; communicate in an understandable, polite, and professional manner with various stakeholders, both technical and non-technical; successfully work independently with clients and technical support personnel; deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one task to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.

(*) Developed after employment.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least a bachelor's degree and at least two years of data analysis, reporting, and/or another related field. Demonstrated experience in Power BI or another similar business intelligence tool. Experience using Ellucian Banner or another similar ERP system. Demonstrated experience in SQL.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in data analytics, business intelligence, higher education administration, or another related field. Experience working in a higher education environment, particularly in academic affairs, enrollment management, or institutional research. Knowledge of Ellucian products beyond Banner (e.g., Degree Works, CRM Recruit, Argos). Familiarity with predictive analytics and statistical modeling techniques for enrollment and retention forecasting. Experience with state and federal higher education reporting requirements. Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.