Data Analyst - Learning Analytics

Data Analyst - Learning Analytics Job Summary Serve as a data analyst (Learning Analytics) who designs, produces, and communicates analyses to support strategic priorities for student success (retention, timely progression, graduation rates) and excellence in teaching and instruction. This position synthesizes data across SIS, LMS, and related systems to create validated metrics, dashboards, and analytic products that inform academic and operational decisions at the course, program, and institutional levels, with an initial emphasis on fully at‑distance managed online courses and undergraduate core curriculum. Responsibilities Data Acquisition, Integration, and Quality Management Develop and maintain reliable data pipelines and extracts from SIS, LMS, and other relevant data sources (Slate CRM, course evaluations, other instructional platforms). Perform data validation, reconciliation, and documentation to ensure consistent definitions for key metrics (retention progression, DFW, course engagement, completion, time-to-degree, course design). Maintain data dictionaries, metric definitions, and reporting logic to support repeatable analysis and reduce rework. Retention, Progression, and Graduation Analytics Produce analyses that identify leading indicators of stop‑out risk and delayed progression for degree‑seeking students. Conduct cohort and pathway analyses (first‑year, transfer, online, gateway/core, program‑level) and surface fair relevant patterns for responsible decision‑making. Support early‑alert and student success efforts through evidence‑based segmentation, trend monitoring, and evaluation of intervention reach and outcomes. Dashboards, Reporting, and Decision Support Products Build and maintain dashboards and recurring reports for academic leaders, program directors, success student teams, instructional design, faculty support, and governance bodies. Produce ad hoc analyses for high‑priority questions, while ensuring results are replicable and methodologically sound. Develop concise executive summaries that clearly state findings, limitations, and practical implications. Teaching, Learning, and Core Curriculum Analytics Analyze LMS engagement, assessment patterns, course design signals, and learning outcomes to support excellence in teaching and instruction including complementary LTI platforms utilized within the LMS platform. Provide targeted analytics for graduate programs, undergraduate core curriculum and other high‑enrollment requirements, emphasizing actionable insights for course improvement and student support. Partner with instructional support units to translate findings into practical, faculty‑usable feedback loops. Stakeholder Consultation, Communication, and Enablement Facilitate requirements gathering with stakeholders to define the right questions, metrics, and success criteria before analysis begins. Present findings in accessible, jargon‑light formats for various audiences (faculty, staff, leadership), including recommendations and tradeoffs. Provide basic enablement (job aids, short demonstrations, office hours) to improve data literacy and consistent interpretation of metrics. Continuous Improvement, Governance Alignment, and Special Projects Contribute to institutional data governance practices (definitions, access patterns, documentation, auditability, privacy‑minded workflows). Participate in special analytic initiatives tied to strategic plans, accreditation evidence, program review, or new student success interventions. Other Perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications •Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in data analytics, statistics, information systems, computer science, economics, educational research, or a closely related field and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience performing data analysis, reporting, and dashboard development with at least one year of relevant experience within a higher education environment. Preferred Qualifications •Master’s degree in analytics, statistics, educational research, data science, higher education administration, or a related discipline. •Direct experience in higher education analytics, including familiarity with student lifecycle metrics (retention, progression, completion, time‑to‑degree), learning analytics, and program performance indicators. •Experience working with SIS, LMS, and other instructional education platforms, including data structures and reporting tools, course modality analysis and learning analytics workflows. •Experience evaluating student success interventions (quasi‑experimental thinking, comparison groups where appropriate, and practical impact measurement). •Familiarity with data governance practices (data dictionaries, metric catalogs, documentation standards, access controls) and building repeatable pipelines. •Demonstrated ability to support excellence in teaching and instruction through course‑level analytics, learning outcomes measurement, and faculty‑facing reporting designed for action. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Knowledge Strong quantitative reasoning, including descriptive statistics, trend analysis, segmentation, and introductory inferential or predictive techniques appropriate to the context. Knowledge of data privacy and ethical handling of student information (FERPA‑aligned practices), including appropriate aggregation and access discipline. Skills Skill in data storytelling: crafting clear narratives, visuals, and short interpretations that respect nuance and avoid overclaiming. Databases: Advanced SQL; relational database concepts; query optimization; data modeling fundamentals. Spreadsheets: Advanced Excel (or equivalent) for validation, reconciliation, and rapid prototyping. Other: BI/visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent); scripting/statistical tools (Python or R); version control and documentation habits; familiarity with SIS/LMS reporting environments and data exports. Abilities Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to work with complex, relational student and course data (term structures, program requirements, sections, modalities, grades, attempts, withdrawals, repeating patterns). Ability to collaborate across academic and administrative teams, listen carefully, and refine ambiguous requests into workable deliverables. Demonstrated ability to translate institutional questions about retention, graduation, teaching effectiveness, and course design into measurable definitions, analytic plans, and decision‑ready outputs. Compensation Shift: Days / Monday to Friday (outside normal business hours may be required). Pay Band: B12 Salary: Minimum $62,300 per year, commensurate with qualifications within the established range. Benefits Benefits may include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement plans (Teachers Retirement System or Optional Retirement Plan), earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. Full‑time employees employed with us for more than six months may be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Conditions of Employment All selected candidates must pass a background check review prior to starting with Augusta University. Depending on duties, a credit check for positions of trust or purchase card use may be required. Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that require driving an Augusta University vehicle. Faculty hires must provide proof of completed academic degrees and any necessary credential evaluations. All employees must adhere to cybersecurity and privacy policies regarding confidential information. Equal Employment Opportunity Augusta University is a proud equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans. #J-18808-Ljbffr