Institutional Research Department

Mission Statement The mission of the Institutional Research (IR) department is to help shape and promote the goals and objectives of the University by providing accurate and consistent collection, analysis, and reporting of data to guide University planning and strategic direction. Through a culture that values collaboration and evidence-based decision-making, the IR department supports Alliant’s efforts to demonstrate achievement of its mission, vision, and educational purpose. Purpose The IR department works with faculty, staff and administrators to conduct research and analysis in support of institutional effectiveness, academic planning and policy formulation regarding: Areas of institutional improvement and challenge; Accomplishment of goals and benchmarks; External reporting; Attainment of external standards and accreditation; Levels of effectiveness and efficiency; and Addition of value for students in the context of higher education.

Welcome to the Institutional Research Department Web Pages Data and information on Alliant students, faculty, staff, and effectiveness is available at the following links: Alliant Data Policies/Procedures Alliant Institutional Research Data (Public) Alliant Institutional Research Data (Private) WASC Accreditation Information on assessment, institutional research and comparative data is available on many external Institutional Research Sites and External Resources.  Academic administrators and faculty who need assistance with University data should contact a member of the IR department.

Staff Roles and Responsibilities

Staff members who contribute to various aspects of institutional research and data function are located in several academic and student services departments, as well as the Schools and Centers. Such staff include the Alliant Registrars, Directors of Advising/Enrollment, Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis, among others. Those with a majority of their responsibilities specifically on institutional research include:

Beth Benedetti, MPA
Research Analyst, California School of Professional Psychology
Sacramento: 916-565-3511 - email Beth 
Beth’s responsibilities include compiling, analyzing, and reporting data for CSPP. She works with other members of the IR team to implement standardized data collection and reporting processes. In addition, she helps CSPP programs address various accreditation needs.

Tracy L. Heller, PhD
Associate Dean, Institutional Research, California School of Professional Psychology
Los Angeles: 626-284-2777, x3035 - email Tracy
Tracy oversees the coordination of the compilation, analysis, and reporting of data for CSPP. While working with other members of the IR team, Tracy helps to implement standardized data collection and reporting processes. She also works with academic administrators, faculty and staff across the system to improve data availability and data systems for improvement of assessment within CSPP. Tracy oversees strategic planning in conjunction with institutional data for the purposes of assessing educational effectiveness and for purposes of accreditation.

Sophia Huang, EdD, MBA, MFA
Accountability Officer, Graduate School of Education
San Francisco: 415-955-2154 - email Sophia
Sophia compiles and analyzes data produced for the Early Completion Option (ECO) program in the Graduate School of Education.  She works with the teaching assessments and TPA data for teacher candidates and collaborates with other GSOE staff and academic administrators on teacher education data projects.

Patty Mullen
Associate Provost for Institutional Research
San Francisco: 415-955-2041 - email Patty
Patty supports both various institutional research projects as well as accreditation efforts. She works with academic administrators, faculty and staff across the system to improve data availability and data systems, as well as improve assessment activities.

Alexis Shoemate, MA
Institutional Research Analyst
San Francisco: 415-955-2038 - email Alexis
As a university-wide institutional research analyst, Alexis compiles, analyzes and reports data on students, instructional offerings, program outcomes, academic program employee demographics, and any other aspects of the Alliant or external environment. She also works as part of a cross-University team to develop new and enhance ongoing systems.