Institutional Research Analyst

MARYVILLE COLLEGE STAFF POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Institutional Research Analyst

Department: Institutional Research / Academic Affairs

Title of Immediate Supervisor: Associate Academic Dean & Director of Institutional Research

Funded Term / Work Cycle:12-Month, Full-Time

Expected Daily Work Hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Expected Weekly Work Schedule: Monday-Friday

Pay Grade: 8S

Expected Salary Range: $52,000

About Maryville College:

Maryville College is a nationally ranked institution of higher learning and one of America's oldest colleges. For more than 200 years, we've educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders to study everything so that they are prepared for anything. Our graduates are equipped to address complex problems, engage with diverse communities, and launch meaningful careers.

Nestled in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, our campus combines the beauty of a rural setting with the advantages of an urban center. With a wide range of academic programs and a strong tradition of career preparation, our alumni live "strong of mind and brave of heart," carrying forward our Presbyterian founder's charge to do good on the largest possible scale.

Mission

At Maryville College, we offer more than a mission-we offer support. Our employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a generous paid time off program; a retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%; tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents; and the opportunity to grow in a collaborative community that values professional excellence and personal well-being.

"Maryville College prepares students for lives of citizenship and leadership as we challenge each one to search for truth, grow in wisdom, work for justice and dedicate a life of creativity and service to the peoples of the world."

Values:

• Scholarship: We commit ourselves to lifelong curiosity and learning, to the search for knowledge, and to intellectual creativity.
• Respect: We commit ourselves to honor the worth, dignity, and freedom of ourselves and all creation, and to treat others as we wish to be treated.
• Integrity: We commit ourselves to truth, honesty, dependability, and responsibility in all our actions and relationships.

Position Purpose

The Institutional Research Analyst, Title III strengthens Maryville College's capacity for data-informed decision-making by expanding analytics, reporting, and institutional effectiveness support. This role advances student success, academic planning, and Title III project outcomes by developing data visualizations, conducting statistical analyses, and ensuring accurate, consistent reporting across campus. Through this work, the Analyst supports institutional planning, retention strategies, assessment efforts, and federal grant compliance. This role is funded through Maryville College's Title III Strengthening Institutions Program, which focuses on improving first-year academic performance, increasing engagement with academic resources, and strengthening the institution's student support model.

SUMMARY

The Institutional Research Analyst develops dashboards, analyzes student data, prepares reports, and provides analytic support for retention initiatives, assessment activities, and Title III grant requirements. The role collects, cleans, and interprets institutional data; assists with survey administration and program review; supports quality assurance and documentation; and collaborates with campus partners to ensure timely, accurate reporting for internal and external audiences.

Education and Experience required to ensure success in this position:

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in Data Analytics, Statistics, Education, Social Science Research, Business Analytics, or a related field.
• Master's degree in a similar field is preferred.

Experience

• Experience working with institutional or student data in higher education, K-12, government, or research environments.
• Experience using data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
• Experience with statistical analysis tools or languages such as Excel (advanced), SPSS, R, Python, or SQL preferred.
• Experience supporting institutional research, assessment, or accreditation activities preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership and Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with the Associate Academic Dean & Director of Institutional Research to support planning, reporting, and data initiatives connected to institutional effectiveness and Title III goals.
• Engage faculty, staff, and administrative offices to understand data needs and provide responsive consultation.
• Participate in committees, workgroups, or project teams requiring data analysis, reporting, or assessment support.
• Serve as a liaison between Institutional Research and campus departments to support data consistency and shared data definitions.

Data, Technology, and Compliance

• Collect, clean, validate, and maintain institutional data from database systems advising systems, and retention platforms.
• Develop and maintain interactive dashboards to monitor enrollment trends, retention, progression, graduation rates, and Title III performance indicators.
• Conduct descriptive, inferential, and cohort analyses to support academic and administrative decision-making.
• Support federal, state, and accreditation-related reporting through data preparation and validation.
• Ensure compliance with FERPA, data governance standards, and federal grant reporting requirements, particularly the requirements of the Title III grant.
• Assist in maintaining institutional data dictionaries and documentation to support consistent reporting practices.

Stakeholder and Institutional Support

• Provide analytic support for student success initiatives, early alert systems, advising, and targeted interventions.
• Assist faculty and staff in accessing and interpreting data reports, dashboards, and institutional metrics.
• Support survey administration and analysis for students, faculty, and alumni.
• Provide data and reports for assessment of student learning, program review, and institutional improvement efforts.

Operations and Technical Oversight

• Create recurring and ad hoc reports for Academic Affairs, Student Success, Enrollment Management, and Title III.
• Document analytic processes, reporting schedules, and data standards for sustainability beyond the grant period.
• Assist with integration of new data sources, system upgrades, and optimization of reporting workflows.
• Troubleshoot data discrepancies and collaborate with IT and other offices to resolve data quality issues.

Fiscal Oversight

• No direct budget authority.
• Provide data and recommendations that support resource allocation and grant reporting.

Strategic Planning and Sustainability

• Contribute to analytic components of institutional strategic planning, retention strategies, and academic program evaluation.
• Support Title III sustainability planning by developing reusable dashboards, processes, and documentation.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for improved data efficiency, transparency, and accessibility across the College.

Other

NOTE: Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty, and students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to collect, clean, analyze, and interpret institutional data.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Strong Excel skills; experience with statistical software or coding languages preferred.
• Knowledge of survey design, assessment methods, and basic research methodology.
• Ability to present data clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data reporting.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in fast-paced reporting cycles.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to FERPA and institutional data governance standards.

License, Certification, or Registration Necessary:

None required.

Preferred: Professional development in analytics, IR, or data visualization (e.g., AIR, EDUCAUSE, NACUBO, Power BI certification).

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment
• Frequent interaction with students, faculty, and staff
• Occasional movement between campus buildings for meetings or student support
• Managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting
• Occasional evening or weekend hours during peak programming periods
• Extended periods of focused work requiring concentration on data sets, dashboards, and statistical reports

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods
• Ability to move about campus as needed
• Ability to lift and move up to 20 pounds
• Sufficient manual dexterity to operate office equipment and technology
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically
• Extended screen time for data manipulation, dashboard creation, and validation
• Ability to work effectively in environments requiring confidentiality and secure data handling

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Computers and standard office equipment
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Excel, SPSS, SQL, R, or Python-depending on institutional platforms)
• Student Information Systems and related reporting systems
• Communication technologies including email, Teams, and digital collaboration tools
• A/V equipment for data presentations, workshops, or training sessions