Description

Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Research

Wilson College, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Research. Wilson College seeks an innovative, collaborative, strategic 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 supports 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.

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.
• Coordinate and manage the institutional research program to ensure the timely availability of accurate data for internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor changes in federal, state, and MSCHE policies to ensure institutional compliance.
• Conduct research on higher education trends and provide comparative analyses between Wilson and peer/aspirant institutions.
• 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.
• Liaise with the academic deans and program faculty in all phases of program assessment including program review, ensuring the collection and analysis of internal and external data necessary in those program reviews.
• Assist the academic deans in the development of workshops that provide opportunities and development 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.
• Ensure the regular launch and reporting of 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 ALO for 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., AVMA, NLN/CNEA, CVTEA, CAPTE, ACOTE, CAA).
• Assist key stakeholders in preparing research-informed reports for state and federal accrediting bodies.

College Enterprise Data and Reporting Systems

• Co-chair the Data Governance Committee
• 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 who is responsible for:

• Organizing and implementing the systematic collection, analysis, and retention of data to support institutional planning and strategic initiatives.
• Ensuring the regular and timely production and updates to dashboards supporting data-informed decision-making for various stakeholders.
• Serves as the institutional Key Holder for IPEDS and coordinate all institutional data reporting.
• Maintains current datasets and develop a College Factbook with historical data and trend analyses.
• Supports grant development and performance tracking by providing relevant data for proposals and reporting.

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.
• Ensure professional development opportunities for the Assistant Director, and approve leave requests.

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 effectiveness and 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 (e.g., student information systems such as Colleague); 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:

Wilson College is a private coeducational college rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. Located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on a historic 300-acre campus, the institution offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and is committed to a transformative educational experience that balances academic quality, access, affordability, and supportive rigor. Recent federal data suggests the average cost for a student to attend Wilson College after all financial aid is $2,300 less than that of a nearby public institution. Classes are offered in-person, online, and via hybrid modalities.

Throughout its long history, Wilson has responded to changing times. In 1982, the College was one of the first in the region to begin offering a continuing studies program to meet the needs of a growing population of adults seeking a post-secondary education. In 1996, the College was one of the first in the nation to offer on-campus, residential education for single parents with children. In 2022, the College launched Wilson College Online, further embracing its focus on accessibility to underserved populations. A new campus in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania is scheduled to open in February 2026 to support hands-on lab immersion experiences for three new hybrid, accelerated graduate healthcare degree programs.

About the Community:

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, offers the charm of small-town living with the convenience of nearby urban access. Located about 2 hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and close to Harrisburg and Gettysburg, Chambersburg is known for its rich Civil War history, vibrant arts scene, and welcoming community. The town features a walkable downtown with locally owned shops, restaurants, and theaters, as well as nearby parks, hiking trails, and orchards for year-round recreation. Chambersburg is anchored by healthcare, education, manufacturing, and agriculture, offering stability and opportunity for professionals and families alike. With affordable housing, a low cost of living, and strong public schools, Chambersburg is an ideal place to live and work.

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the position of Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Research at Wilson College should be directed in confidence to the College’s executive search consultant:

Christopher Healy, President

Scott Healy & Associates

chris@scotthealy.com

A complete application should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Three (3) professional references with title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)

Applications received by April 10, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

It is the policy of Wilson College to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital/familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, having a GED rather than a diploma, or any other protected characteristic applicable under law.

The above Job Description is not intended to be an all-encompassing list of responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this position. It is intended to be a guideline reflecting the principal activities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the College reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the College may deem appropriate.