Student Success Research Analyst

About MassArt:

Founded in 1873, having celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), is the nation's first and only independent, free-standing public college of art and design in the country. MassArt is an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, makers, educators, innovators and leaders striving to shape the future through art and design. We've spent 150 years demonstrating the truly amazing things that happen when a world-class art and design education is an option for every deserving student. Located in Boston's hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts, MassArt enrolls 2,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in 18 disciplines, as well as continuing education and youth programs.

MassArt strives to be a model of diversity and inclusion; the campus community reflects the layers of cultural and self-identity that proudly make up our region, nation, and world. We build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the College by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance to all and maintain an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Job Description:

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is governed by the APA collective bargaining agreement

Salary Range: $65,000-$80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Hours: 37.5 hours

Please note: This is a grant funded position and is subject to change should the grant funding change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Student Success Research Analyst with expertise in both data science and social science research. This role is responsible for leveraging quantitative and qualitative data to assess and enhance student success initiatives, guiding evidence-based strategies to improve student retention, engagement, and academic performance. The ideal candidate will be proficient in survey design, program evaluation, data analysis, and the integration of social science theories with empirical research methods. Applied programming languages to build and extract data for analysis. This position requires a passion for student success, a deep understanding of data analysis, and the ability to translate research findings into actionable insights that inform institutional decision-making with appropriate use of visualization tools to display outcomes.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Data Collection, Programmer, and Analytics
• Collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data related to student success outcomes (e.g., retention, graduation rates, engagement, etc.).
• Synthesize findings from both qualitative and quantitative data to recommend program improvements and best practices.
• Perform longitudinal data analysis to track trends and assess the effectiveness of student success programs.
• Support complex data compilation, predictive modeling, statistics, and trend analysis activities to measure key initiatives.
• Utilize tools like SQL, SPSS, R, and Python for in-depth analysis and producing actionable reports on student success programs.
• Research/Evaluation Activities
• Support and engage in a wide range of complex evaluation and applied research studies on various key initiatives related to student success to measure effectiveness and/or impact.
• Design and execute program evaluations to measure the impact of student success initiatives.
• Contribute to research projects involving programming reports to gather data for analyses of student success and program outcomes using institutional data by applying a variety of techniques as well as advancing the application of predictive modeling approaches.
• Collaborate with program leads to establish evaluation frameworks, including objectives, metrics, and data collection strategies.
• Ability to perform research activities that may require analysis of multiple factors or data sources.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in student success research and institutional assessment.
• Social Science and Survey Design Integration
• Adhere to appropriate theoretical framework, research designs, and methodological approaches to facilitate producing competent research and evaluation studies to produce valid and reliable outcomes.
• Conduct qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups, to complement quantitative data and provide a holistic view of student experiences.
• Design and deploy surveys to gather student feedback and evaluate programmatic impact.
• Perform appropriate analyses of survey data to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Ensure surveys are inclusive, accessible, and valid across diverse student populations.
• Reporting & Visualization
• Prepare clear, comprehensive reports for stakeholders.
• Develop tables, dashboards, and other visualizations to communicate data insights effectively.
• Collaboration & Consultation:
• Collaborate with institutional stakeholders to address student success challenges.
• Advise departments on data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Data Analysis & Statistical Techniques: Proficient in quantitative and qualitative analysis, including longitudinal trends, regression analysis, and predictive modeling.
• Proficiency in using appropriate software to perform data analysis (e.g., SPSS, SAS or R)
• Familiarity with coding/programming, database management, and interfacing with various data ecosystems (e.g., SQL, Python, experience in Student Information System (SIS) such as Banner, Colleague or Jenzabar).
• Survey Design & Evaluation: Expertise in designing, deploying, and analyzing surveys, ensuring accessibility and validity for diverse student populations.
• Research Methodologies: Knowledge of applied research, program evaluation, and social science frameworks (e.g., student development theory, learning theory).
• Communication & Reporting: Ability to present complex data clearly in reports and visualizations for diverse audiences, such as faculty or senior administration.
• Collaboration & Consultation: Strong interpersonal skills for working with faculty and stakeholders to improve student success initiatives.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple research projects, ensuring timely completion and alignment with institutional goals.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Capacity to analyze complex issues, synthesize findings, and recommend data-driven solutions for improving student success programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Requires the ability to work at a computer for long periods of time.

Requirements:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, data science, mathematics, education, economics, or related fields.
• At least two years of experience in research, data analytics, and program evaluation.
• Proficiency in data coding/programming and using data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, SPSS, R, Python).
• Knowledgeable in data architecture and information ecosystems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced graduate degree in social sciences, data science, mathematics, education, economics, relevant field.
• Four years of experience in research, data analytics, and programming.
• Experience in Institutional Research, assessment, or data analytics within higher education.
• Proficiency in statistical modeling and prediction on large data sets.
• Experience with data ecosystem development and data system conversion.

Additional Information:

Please note MassArt:

• Does not support employment-based visa sponsorship or non-student exchange visitor visa sponsorship.
• Is not an E-Verify institution.

Selected candidates must be eligible to work in the US at the time of employment, complete all onboarding tasks including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background review and provide proof of eligibility to work in the US by completing the Form 19, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

You are required to show proof of your identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of the start of your employment. You will not be authorized to work in any capacity until all paperwork has been completed. .

Comprehensive Benefits (does not apply to contractor/student positions):
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics?

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class.

MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

Application Instructions:

In addition to your application, please submit a current resume/CV and a cover letter describing how your experiences, knowledge, and skills align to this role.