The Department of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness supports the planning, assessment, accreditation and decision-making efforts throughout the District by providing data and information for managing and maintaining the quality and effectiveness of programs and services.

The daily operations of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness are organized around four primary activities:

Research and Data Support:

The department is responsible for the statistical and analytical work associated with the collection, review, analyses, distribution and presentation of college and regional information.  The department distributes periodic reports, such as Facts at a Glance, district characteristics, enrollment trends, regional demographics and FTE projections, as well as responding to ad hoc requests for data and analysis.  The department conducts and analyzes survey instruments, such as Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE), Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE), and various campus climate surveys.  Members of the department serve on a number of internal committees to provide research support.

State and Federal Reporting:

The department is responsible for coordinating the state and federal reporting processes, assuring compliance with state and federal reporting guidelines and preparing/submitting data for external submission.

Strategic Planning:

The department is responsible for facilitating and supporting the strategic planning process of the college.  Through the Strategic Planning Online (SPOL) software, the department provides training and support to assist Unit Planners in data-driven decision making, continuous assessment and improvement.

Assessment

The department is responsible for assisting the Student Assessment Committee (SAC) in assessing general education outcomes in communication, critical thinking, scientific and quantitative reasoning, technology/information management, and global socio-culture responsibility.  The department supports the program review process and the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) in developing best practices in assessment and the use of assessment information for improved decision-making.