Institutional Effectiveness and Research (IER)

Mission

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research has two primary objectives: first, to advance the University’s mission by providing leadership and support in the development and implementation of a continuous cycle of assessment and evaluation; and second, to conduct research that supports institutional planning, decision making, and external reporting.

Goals for Institutional Effectiveness

Institutional Effectiveness focuses on both academic programs and administrative/academic support departments in order to ensure quality and sustained improvement across the University and has the following goals:

  1. Assisting University academic and administrative/academic support units in the integration of planning and evaluation processes that leads to an ongoing and comprehensive practice in all University activities.
  2. Supporting the University Institutional Effectiveness Committee in incorporating a systematic review of its programs and services directed toward continual improvement and the effective accomplishment of the University's mission.
  3. Providing training and resources to the University Assessment Advisory Committee to support the goal of promoting use of rigorous assessment and data analysis which leads to continuous improvement in student learning and departmental services.
  4. Serving as a channel for the flow of institutional information to and from all DBU units in order to support the ongoing quest for institutional effectiveness and research.
  5. Providing training and resources in annual reporting, program/department review, and assessment processes to involve every institutional unit.
  6. Supporting institutional effectiveness and research processes through development and training in robust online platforms and resources.
  7. Supporting the University's accreditation processes through maintenance and accurate reporting of institutional information, proofing, and other accreditation measures.

Goals for Institutional Research

Institutional Research focuses on supporting institutional effectiveness through research and data analytics and has the following goals:

  1. Oversee data reporting and analysis for programs and colleges related to course evaluation, faculty evaluation, and program evaluation.
  2. Provide dashboard metrics to academic and university administrators with relevant information and specific key performance indicators necessary for informed decision-making.
  3. Assist with compiling, modeling, and analyzing data relevant to Student Success and Retention.
  4. Provide data necessary for external reporting requirements related to accreditation, state and federal requirements, and other stakeholders.

Leadership

Rebecca Dark, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost for Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness
(214) 333-6951
rebeccad@dbu.edu

Justin Gandy, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost for Research and Strategic Initiatives
(214) 333-6840
justing@dbu.edu

Adelita Baker, Ed.D.
Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness
(214) 333-5515
adelita@dbu.edu

Mindy Barrett
SACSCOC Staff Assistant
mbarrett@dbu.edu

KatieJane Brashier
Curriculum and Accreditation Compliance Coordinator
(214) 333-6927
kbrashier@dbu.edu

John McMahan 
Director of Catalog and Accreditation Technology
(214) 333-5961
johnmc@dbu.edu