Institutional Research & Assessment Strategist

POSITION TITLE: Institutional Research and Assessment Strategist

DIVISION: Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT: Academic Affairs

REPORTS TO: Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs

PAY TYPE: Exempt

WORKER TYPE: Full-Time

UPDATED: April 2026

Salary Range: $80,000

The Institutional Research and Assessment Strategist supports institutional effectiveness by collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating data on student success, academic quality, and operational performance.

This position leads the coordination of institutional assessment processes, ensures data integrity, and provides actionable insights to inform planning, accreditation, and decision-making. The Strategist collaborates across academic and administrative units to advance a culture of evidence, continuous improvement, and student success, and supports the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs on strategic initiatives.

Essential Functional Responsibilities:

Institutional Research & Data Analysis

• Collect, analyze, and interpret institutional data, including enrollment, retention, completion, and student outcomes




• Disaggregate data by demographic and enrollment characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, income, first-generation status) to identify equity gaps and inform institutional priorities




• Design, administer, and analyze institutional surveys (student, alumni, and campus-wide)




• Prepare and submit required institutional reports (e.g., IPEDS and other external surveys) and develop dashboards and reports for internal stakeholders




• Serve as IPEDS keyholder and ensure compliance with reporting requirements




• Provide consultation to faculty and staff on data analysis, research design, and interpretation




• Support institutional planning, budgeting, and research activities




• Other duties as assigned.

Assessment & Institutional Effectiveness

• Lead coordination of institutional assessment processes for academic and administrative units




• Guide departments in developing measurable outcomes aligned with institutional priorities and accreditation expectations




• Review and provide feedback on Institutional Effectiveness Reports (IERs)




• Develop and implement assessment tools, templates, and reporting frameworks




• Facilitate training and support for faculty and staff on assessment practices and data use




• Synthesize assessment findings to identify institutional trends and support data-informed improvements

Accreditation, Strategy & Data Governance

• Support accreditation processes, including evidence collection, documentation, and narrative development




• Maintain organized evidence repositories aligned with accreditation criteria




• Support strategic planning through benchmarking, KPI tracking, and analysis of institutional trends




• Support institutional data governance, including data definitions, standards, and data quality practices

Other Responsibilities

• Support special projects as assigned by the EVPAA




• Represent Academic Affairs on committees and institutional initiatives




• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervises the following:

• N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills




• Ability to interpret complex data and federal regulations




• Excellent written and verbal communication skills




• Strong organizational and project management skills




• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines




• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with strong relationship building skills




• Strong interpersonal skills and professional judgment




• Ability to maintain confidentiality




• Commitment to continuous improvement and student success

Required Experience/Education:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in institutional research, assessment, data analysis, or program evaluation




• Experience working with student data in a higher education setting




• Proficiency in Excel and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or similar)




• Demonstrated ability to analyze and communicate data to inform decision-making

Preferred Experience/Education:

• Master’s degree in educational research, higher education, public administration, or related field




• Experience with accreditation processes (e.g., HLC or NASAD)




• Experience with survey design and administration




• Basic experience with data querying or extraction (e.g., SQL or similar tools)

When Applying: Please submit a Resume and Cover Letter for full consideration.

Statement

Driven by exploration, curiosity, and passion, it is Kansas City Art Institute’s mission to educate artists and designers while honoring the distinct journeys of students. We create a community that equips students to become leaders who leverage the creative process to transform the future. Our excellence is integrated in our community, rich with varied experiences and perspectives from faculty, staff, students, and alumni. We invest in continuous growth by cultivating a culture of creativity, care and belonging—a climate where respectful dialogue thrives and individuals are seen, valued, and encouraged to achieve their full potential and accomplish remarkable things.

KCAI is committed to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified candidates for employment without regard to any characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. KCAI provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you have difficulty using our online system and require accommodation due to a disability, contact the Human Resources Department about your interest in employment. Any questions or concerns can be directed to KCAI’s Human Resource Administrator at [email protected].

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.