The primary mission of Institutional Research and Assessment Services (IRAS) is to assist and support institutional planning, management, policy formulation, and decision-making, through the systematic collection, analysis, evaluation, and dissemination of valid and reliable information.
To accomplish its mission IRAS:
- Coordinates a systematic and integrated university-wide planning, research, and assessment process
- Provides timely information and technical expertise to assist academic and non-academic units with the formulation, measurement, tracking, and reporting of performance indicators and metrics
- Accumulates, generates, maintains, and disseminates institutional data to support the assessment of institutional effectiveness
- Initiates surveys and other performance-based studies to facilitate planning and continuous improvement of academic and non-academic programs and support functions
- Responds to requests for institutional data from members of the University community, from state and federal agencies, and from others interested in the University’s operations
GOALS
- Improve the effectiveness of the institutional research and assessment functions through a systematic process to conduct program reviews, develop and implement workable assessment plans, collect assessment and institutional data, and integrate data findings into strategic planning
- Enhance Athens State’s ability to determine its overall institutional effectiveness as the foundation for continuous improvement
- Encourage a culture of assessment at all levels of the institution while serving as a comprehensive information resource