Senior Research Associate / Engagement & Student Affairs

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Full Time

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU's mission, vision, and leadership standards.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

Position Information

Posting Number S-3704 Position Number 00080 Type of Recruitment External Position Title SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE / ENGAGEMENT & STUDENT AFFAIRS Position Summary

The senior research associate for the Division of Engagement and Student Affairs (UESA) will use various data sources to create interactive data summaries that assist the institution in making data-informed decisions, progressing student outcomes, improving institutional performance, and optimizing operations in an increasingly data-driven environment. The position uses independent judgment to select and apply appropriate statistical analyses of institutional data in regard to assessment of UESA processes and programming. Additionally, the senior research associate is tasked with ensuring that the narratives and lived experiences of students, faculty, staff, and community members are shared in ways that provide context and an interpretive frame within grant development, reports, manuscripts, presentations, and communications.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in evaluation, statistics, social sciences, or a closely related field of study.

Experience with SPSS, SAS, or other similar statistical program.

Experience with assessment of higher education programs.

Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Demonstrated expertise in data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI).

Knowledge of survey design and survey administration platforms (e.g., Qualtrics).

Ability to analyze data and communicate findings and impact.

Awareness of system data and business process interdependency and the interconnectivity of reporting tools.

Ability to manage multiple projects and meet important deadlines.

Effective and accessible communication skills.

Ability to maintain positive interpersonal relations with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Ability to demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

Masters or Doctoral degree in evaluation, statistics, social sciences, or a closely related field of study.

Experience coordinating with information technology units.

Knowledge of various computer applications.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leads the development, implementation, and analysis of the Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs (UESA) evaluation efforts.

Conducts assessment of learning outcomes and needs and the efficacy of current and future programming.

Provides analyst support for all requests from the UESA.

Creates data analytics resources (e.g., dashboards, presentations, reports) and collaborates with campus partners to support data informed decision making. The dashboarding content includes compiling various information using datasets from external sources as well as CMU student and business information systems.

Leads the UESA in conducting needs analysis and exploring trends to identify promising practices in concert with campus and community partners and assist them in utilizing results to make improvements in campus climate.

Represents the UESA while attending university and community events, serving on designated university and community committees, and presenting work at local, regional, national, and international conferences.

Participates in teambuilding and university professional development opportunities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Message to Applicants

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary Staff Pay Level Pay Range $68,000 - $78,000 per year Division Academic Affairs Department Academic Planning & Analysis Position Status Regular Position End Date Employment Status Full-Time FTE 1.0 Position Type 12 month Weekly Work Schedule Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed Location Mount Pleasant, MI About the Department About CMU

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master's, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men's and women's Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It's part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state's largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions - Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more - are within easy reach of the city's central location in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

CMU Leadership Standards

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

EEO Statement

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

If you wish to see "EEO is the Law" posters, please click here.

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU's Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education's Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU's Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Phone: ...

Office: 103 E. Preston St.

Bovee University Center, suite 306

Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

Email: ...

Posting Ends 09/03/2025 Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

- How did you first learn of this job opportunity? Please list the specific advertising source or indicate if it was word of mouth.

(Open Ended Question)

- Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university's definition?
Yes
No
- If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable").
Not Applicable
Dispatcher
Medical Faculty
Office Professional
P&A, SO or Faculty
Police
Public Broadcasting
Sergeant
Service Maintenance
Supervisory/Technical
- Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in evaluation, statistics, social sciences, or a closely related field of study?
Yes
No
- Do you have experience with SPSS, SAS, or other similar statistical programs?
Yes
No
- Do you have experience with assessment of higher education programs?
Yes
No