STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITYReporting directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Director of Assessment and Continuous Improvement provides institutional leadership for assessment, outcomes evaluation, research compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives across Gwynedd Mercy University. The Director serves as the University's principal resource for assessment and institutional outcomes, partnering with faculty, academic leaders, staff, and administrators to advance a culture of evidence-informed planning and decision-making.
The Director oversees processes that support the assessment of student learning outcomes at the institutional, program, and course levels; leads the University's Institutional Outcomes Assessment Committee (IOAC); provides leadership for the Institutional Review Board (IRB); and supports institutional accreditation, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning efforts. The Director works collaboratively across all areas of the University to ensure the meaningful use of assessment data to improve student learning, institutional effectiveness, and organizational performance.
KEY LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES- Advance a university-wide culture of assessment, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure institutional assessment practices align with the University's mission, strategic priorities, accreditation expectations, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead and strengthen the work of the Institutional Outcomes Assessment Committee (IOAC).
- Provide institutional leadership and oversight for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and human-subjects research compliance as directed by the Provost.
- Partner with academic and administrative units to use assessment data to improve programs, services, and student outcomes.
- Support institutional and specialized accreditation efforts through effective assessment processes and documentation.
- Promote the effective collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of assessment and outcomes data.
- Foster collaboration among faculty, staff, administrators, and governing bodies in support of institutional effectiveness.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIESThe Director serves as a visible institutional leader and trusted partner across the University and has primary responsibility for:
- Coordinating and providing leadership for all academic assessment activities, including assessment of institutional, program, and course-level student learning outcomes.
- Supporting assessment and continuous improvement initiatives in co-curricular, student support, and administrative units.
- Chairing and providing strategic leadership for the Institutional Outcomes Assessment Committee (IOAC) and serving as the primary liaison between the committee, academic leadership, and University administration.
- Directing the activities of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), ensuring compliance with federal regulations, ethical standards, and institutional policies governing research involving human subjects.
- Ensuring assessment policies, procedures, reporting processes, and documentation meet the expectations of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), NC-SARA, specialized accrediting bodies, and other regulatory agencies.
- Collaborating with academic deans, department chairs, program directors, Institutional Research, Student Affairs, and other campus leaders to support assessment, planning, and effectiveness initiatives.
- Overseeing the University's course evaluation system and related reporting processes.
- Reviewing and enhancing institutional assessment policies and practices to ensure alignment with emerging best practices and accreditation standards.
- Supporting institutional research, survey administration, outcomes reporting, and data-informed planning efforts.
- Developing and facilitating workshops, presentations, and professional development opportunities that strengthen assessment literacy and effectiveness across the University.
- Supporting academic programs and administrative units in interpreting assessment findings and implementing improvement plans.
- Supporting institutional and program-level accreditation activities through assessment planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting.
- Maintaining a highly visible and engaged presence across campus to support consultation, collaboration, committee leadership, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.
- Performing other duties as assigned by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT EXPECTATIONThis position is a primarily on-campus leadership role. Success in the position depends upon regular face-to-face engagement with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and institutional committees. The Director is expected to maintain a substantial campus presence and actively participate in the collaborative work of the University community.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS- Master's degree from an accredited institution; earned doctorate preferred.
- Significant experience in higher education assessment, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, institutional research, or a closely related area.
- Demonstrated knowledge of assessment of student learning outcomes and continuous improvement processes at the institutional, program, and course levels.
- Understanding of accreditation standards and expectations, including those of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and other specialized accrediting bodies.
- Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate assessment and institutional data to diverse audiences.
- Experience leading committees, collaborative initiatives, or institution-wide projects requiring consensus building and relationship management.
- Strong organizational, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and administrators across diverse disciplines and functional areas.
- Commitment to the Mercy Catholic mission, values, and student-centered educational philosophy of Gwynedd Mercy University.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
- Experience serving in a leadership role related to assessment, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, institutional research, or academic affairs.
- Experience supporting successful accreditation reaffirmation or compliance efforts.
- Knowledge of Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, human-subjects research regulations, and research compliance requirements.
- Experience working with assessment management, survey, and reporting systems in higher education.
- Demonstrated success fostering a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making across an organization.
- Experience providing consultation, training, or professional development related to assessment, institutional effectiveness, or accreditation.
- Proficiency in a language other than English
