Title III Project Manager & Institutional Research Associate

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) seeks a Project Manager & Institutional Research Associate to oversee Title III-funded initiatives aimed at enhancing academic success and student retention, and to conduct institutional research to support grant goals.  This position is responsible for overall project management, planning and implementation, maintenance of records, communication/reporting, including personnel and budget management, evaluation, and compliance for the Title III grant.  This position reports to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and works closely with the President and leadership to achieve Title III goals and objectives.

About Title III

MIAD received its first Title III federal grant in September 2024, totaling $2.25 million over five years, with an additional $350,000 invested by MIAD into an endowed fund for faculty and staff training.  The grant aims to increase enrollment, stabilize first-to-second year retention rates, and enhance six-year graduation rates, particularly among high-risk students (first-generation, students of color, low-income, commuters, and students with documented disabilities).

This grant will fund:

1. Professional development training for faculty and staff, focusing on student readiness and topics geared toward student success in the classroom, such as neurodivergence, accommodations and mental health.
2. Refurbishment of existing campus space into a Student Success Center, integrating Academic and Individual Success Services.
3. Addition of a Caseworker to provide mentorship and access to external resources for students.
4. Addition of an Experiential Learning Manager to expand and coordinate learning opportunities.
5. Addition of a Title III Project Manager & Institutional Research Associate to centralize Title III-related activities and institutional data.

Commitment to Long Term Success

MIAD is deeply committed to the long-term success of the initiatives supported by Title III, even after the grant funding has expired.  Although this role is initially funded through the Title III grant, MIAD’s strategic vision includes expanding and evolving this position to encompass broader institutional research support.  We are dedicated to integrating this role into our overall institutional research framework, ensuring the work initiated by the grant will continue to contribute to the institution’s long-term goals.  The successful candidate will have opportunities to expand their role, influence institutional strategy, and play a pivotal role in shaping MIAD’s future.  The vision for this position is to be 100% dedicated and focused on Institutional Research in year 6 and beyond.

Responsibilities include, but not are limited to:

• Manage and monitor goals for the Title III grant program, including budget tracking, reporting, and operates within compliance with federal regulations
• Develop monitoring and evaluation plans for project goals and objectives, ensuring continuous improvement and maintaining high accountability for project outcomes.
• Conduct institutional research to support data-driven decision-making, analyzing student enrollment, retention, graduation, and other key metrics ensuring accuracy and relevance. 
• Lead institutional survey efforts, manage data analysis, develop key performance indicators, and maintain statistical models to forecast trends.
• Collaborate with leadership and departments to understand data needs and ensure data integrity.
• Use FileMaker and various campus systems to collect, and manage data for reporting and participant tracking.
• Contribute to accreditation, assessment, retention, and reporting efforts by providing data and analysis. Maintain a comprehensive data repository to support decision-making and accreditation.
• Collaborate effectively with the Vice Presidents, Executive Directors, Department Chairs, Grant Manager, Center for Student Success, and other important constituents on campus.
• Participate in the development of institutional practices and procedures concerning the retention and graduation of program participants.
• Prepare and submit reports for the Department of Education and the college on the operation of the Title II Grant program and the success of program participants.
• Design and conduct research studies to evaluate institutional programs and initiatives. Support the creation of surveys and data collection tools. 
• Partner with appropriate leadership/stakeholders to plan, develop, and implement professional development for faculty and staff to create a sequence of points of service/connection for improved wraparound and continuous student support.
• Provide executive summaries of data to be used by leaders for decision making.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Enrollment Management or their designee.
• Required Qualifications and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree required.  Master’s degree in business administration, higher education administration, project management, public policy, or other related field preferred.
• Prefer at least two (2) years of administrative and/or supervisory experience in higher education.
• Strong knowledge of statistical analysis, data management software, and data visualization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Experience working with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or first-generation college student populations is a plus.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability foster collaboration and present research findings to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in handling confidential information responsibly.
• Regular on-site presence is expected.

Application Process and Deadline:

Qualified applicants should submit a single PDF document containing the following documents to titleiiisearch_group@miad.edu:

• A letter of interest/cover letter
• A resume
• Three (3) professional reference names and contact information.

Initial review of applicants will occur after October 13, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

MIAD offers an attractive benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance. All final candidates must successfully complete reference and background checks. 

About MIAD: As an accredited, nonprofit college, MIAD provides a transformative Bachelor of Fine Arts education that prepares students of diverse backgrounds for fulfilling and financially rewarding careers. MIAD fosters innovative and entrepreneurial thinking that benefits our students and our corporate and nonprofit partners.

MIAD enrolls 840+ students and employs 200+ faculty and staff. The college’s nationally ranked programs include Communication Design, Product Design, Illustration, Interior Architecture and Design, Fashion & Apparel Design, Fine Arts + New Studio Practice and 18 academic minors. MIAD has been named a Top Design School by Graphic Design USA for five consecutive years.

MIAD brings robust career pathways and college-readiness experiences to high school youth and provides cultural experiences and programming to the Greater Milwaukee community. Companies that have hired MIAD interns and graduates include Delta Faucet, Generac, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, GE Healthcare, Google, Kohler Company, Kohl’s Corporation, Milwaukee Tool, NASA and Nike.

MIAD is central to the development of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, which was named one of America’s Top 12 Art Places. The Historic Third Ward is Milwaukee’s most desirable downtown neighborhood, with Lake Michigan as our backyard and walkable distances to dozens of restaurants, galleries, and boutiques.

www.miad.edu

MIAD is committed to a teaching, learning, and working environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. The college prohibits students, employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors from engaging in discrimination and harassment based on any individual’s age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, religion, arrest record, conviction record, military service, veteran status, use or nonuse of lawful products off MIAD premises during nonworking hours, and any other legally protected characteristic. This prohibition applies to all of MIAD’s educational programs and activities—including admissions—as well as all employment actions, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, and benefits.