Academic Expressions

Office of the Provost

Missouri State's Citizen Scholar statue, as seen from above, with students sitting in the background.
The revitalized eJournal of Public Affairs will offer scholarly research along with content about programs and curricula that promote civic engagement. (Photo by Bob Linder/Missouri State)

Building a Data-Informed Culture

A new project is designed to maximize Missouri State’s institutional effectiveness. Plus, a chance for faculty and students to share research.

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Missouri State University’s office of institutional research (OIR) is the centralized resource for data that’s used to support planning and decision-making processes across campus. This data provides an objective standard for assessing the university’s performance in relation to specific goals and the overall mission.

“Institutional research is central to our effectiveness, and the field has evolved,” says Provost Dr. John Jasinski. “Access to accurate and timely data insights from across all institutional areas is critical as we build out a data-informed culture.”

Emphasizing Institutional Effectiveness

Michelle Olsen, who served as OIR director for 10 years, retired in December. In addition to her position, two staff roles in OIR are currently unfilled, leaving just one remaining staff member in the office. While this understaffing creates challenges for OIR’s work, it also presents a unique opportunity to strategically assess OIR’s operations and ensure that the office is positioned for long-term success.

Jasinski has asked Dr. Ken Brown, chief academic strategy officer, to take on a special, limited-term OIR project, effective immediately. Brown will lead an intentional rebuilding of OIR. He’ll also ensure completion of OIR’s immediate tasks, address gaps in staffing and document critical OIR processes, such as state and federal compliance reporting.

Dr. Ken Brown advising a student
Dr. Ken Brown, seen here advising a student, will lead a short-term project focused on the office of institutional research. (Photo by Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University)

Because Missouri State’s institutional effectiveness depends on a thorough understanding of all the data that’s used in decision-making processes, the scope of this project includes assessing data collection that occurs in units other than OIR. “An important part of developing a new vision for institutional research is gaining greater understanding of what we’re already doing,” Brown says. “What data are we collecting and how are we leveraging it? Where can we address gaps in data and analysis that will inform our decision making as we work to improve student, faculty and staff success across campus?”

Project Goals

As Brown develops recommendations, he’ll visit selected institutions and organizations that might provide insight and guidance. He’ll also draw on input and expertise from professional agencies, industry organizations and stakeholders around campus.

From Jasinski’s perspective, Brown’s work with OIR is a big step toward greater knowledge sharing, efficiency, governance and the strategic use of data. The goal is to “describe our current state and develop a blueprint as we strive to be best-in-class in institutional effectiveness,” Jasinski says. “This temporary, focused project will help us better use data with descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive lenses. I’m confident it will pay long-term dividends for Missouri State.”

“[The goal is to] describe our current state and develop a blueprint as we strive to be best-in-class in institutional effectiveness.”

—Dr. John Jasinski

Around Campus…

Audience members at the Collaborative Diversity Conference
The Collaborative Diversity Conference is scheduled for April 25–26. Faculty and students are encouraged to submit presentation proposals. (Photo by Kevin White/Missouri State University)

The Collaborative Diversity Conference (CDC), which takes place April 25–26, is accepting submissions for presentation proposals. CDC features panel discussions, research presentations, workshops and student poster presentations.

This year’s theme, “Inclusive Engagement: Uplifting the Power of Community,” will be examined through sessions organized around the topics of community, education, business and health and wellness. It’s an ideal opportunity for faculty and student researchers to share their findings and expertise with an engaged audience.

Proposed presentation topics must be submitted by 5 p.m. on February 16. For more details, check out the presentation guidelines and submission process.