I. Mission Statement
The Department of Institutional Research and Assessment (DIRA) at the Lebanese American University collects, analyzes, warehouses, and disseminates data about the continuum of functions of the institution – educational, administrative and support. It ensures the integrity and consistency of information for official reporting. DIRA provides support for the institution’s decision-makers in planning, policy formulation as well as assessment, evaluation and institutional effectiveness initiatives.
II. Goals
Goal 1: Support evidence-based decision making and integrated planning
- Conduct and coordinate research and benchmark studies and analyses that contribute to student learning and goal achievement, as well as enhance understanding of the programs and community needs.
- Work collaboratively with other units across campus to ensure accurate data is maintained and to assist in campus-wide data integration.
- Provide information and predictive analytics needed for planning, e.g., enrollment projections used to establish admission targets.
Goal 2: Oversee institutional reporting
- Collect, maintain, analyze and disseminate accurate and timely information to internal and external constituencies as requested.
- Prepare descriptive and analytical reports and data summaries and make them easily accessible by all constituents (i.e. Fact Book, Facts brochure …).
- Coordinate external reporting of institutional statistics to national and governmental organizations, accrediting bodies and ranking agencies.
- Manage the Business Intelligence solution from ensuring consistency and reliability of data to providing users with visual dashboards and advanced analytics features.
Goal 3: Strengthen assessment culture throughout university
- Support the assessment of academic programs, co-curricular activities and administrative units.
- Administer, analyze and share the results of institutional surveys and assessments, including assisting other offices and programs with survey design, analysis, and application.
- Provide valid, reliable data and information to support assessment, planning, and accreditation activities.
- Offer training and support for assessment initiatives.
- Manage instructor and course evaluations and disseminate analytic reports to respective schools.