The Office of the Provost is committed to instilling and supporting a culture of evidence at all levels that applies the best possible information and analysis within the academic enterprise. University Analytics and Institutional Research (UAIR) and the Assessment, Survey, and Effectiveness Research (ASER) support academic data-informed decision-making within the Office of the Provost and across the university.

Assessment, Survey, and Effectiveness Research (ASER)

Assessment, Survey, and Effectiveness Research promotes a culture of evidence and equity by leading the campus-wide collection, analysis, and governance of survey- and evaluation-related data. The team also leads institutional- and program-level assessment of student learning to support goals for educational effectiveness, strategic planning, and compliance with regional accreditation. Results of assessment, survey, and effectiveness research are found on the website as well as on public-facing dashboards and Flagship Analytics.

Analytics and Institutional Research (UAIR)

University Analytics and Institutional Research (UAIR) provides information and analysis that supports the decision-making process, complies with reporting requirements of external agencies, and responds to ad hoc requests for information. Most of the official statistics about the campus, and Academic Affairs in particular, are reported by UAIR. Some of UAIR’s contributions include public-facing dashboards, Flagship Analytics, and a variety of factsheets and data tables, including Admissions and Enrollment Report.

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Elizabeth (Liz) Williams

Associate Provost for Analytics and Assessment

Dr. Williams is a higher education researcher with more than thirty years of experience leading and contributing to institutional research at UMass Amherst. Liz manages two companion offices that support data-informed decision making throughout the university: Assessment, Survey, and Effectiveness Research (ASER; previously OAPA) and University Analytics and Institutional Research (UAIR). 
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