Information 'Czar' Cate Rowen has been named the College's coordinator of institutional research. She is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data necessary for self-assessment, planning, and academic and administrative decision-making; providing research and statistical assistance and consultation for academic and administrative departments; responding to institutional surveys and external requests for information; developing report formats and a communication system for effective distribution of institutional data; and maintaining research archives.
Rowen now serves as the College's institutional research czar--collecting, analyzing, and reporting data necessary for self-assessment, planning, and academic and administrative decision-making; providing research and statistical assistance and consultation for academic and administrative departments; responding to institutional surveys and external requests for information; developing report formats and a communication system for effective distribution of institutional data; and maintaining research archives.
In her first month here, Rowen worked with the Alumnae Association on developing a survey on interest in a homecoming program and with the Multiracial Community Committee on a faculty/staff survey. She is also collaborating with local institutions on the annual "Cycles survey," which gathers information on the opinions and experiences of Five College students.
Professor of Statistics and Mathematics Janice Gifford had been directing institutional research, along with Associate Professor of Economics Michael Robinson. When Gifford stepped down as associate dean of the faculty (she is now on sabbatical and will return to full-time teaching in 1999-2000), institutional research became part of the "enrollment management matrix," as outlined in the Plan for 2003.
As a member of the enrollment division, Rowen works closely with the offices of admission, communications, financial assistance, and the registrar. "Cate's background as a research consultant was a good fit for this position," noted Dean of Enrollment Jane Brown. "She sees the big picture, works well with a range of constituencies with varying levels of research expertise, and will make pragmatic recommendations, as well as providing analyses for strategic planning."
Rowen began the transition by working with Gifford to learn about MHC and the resources available to researchers in higher education. "Janice has an incredible wealth of knowledge and is an invaluable resource," said Rowen. "I'm so thankful she has taken time out from her leave to help me get started." Mike Robinson continues to contribute his econometrics expertise to MHC's enrollment planning efforts. "Mike is doing fascinating statistical work with the College's databases. I feel lucky to be able to work with these two experts in statistical analysis," added Rowen.
Rowen earned a B.A. in women's studies from the University of Massachusetts in 1991 and worked in the human services field for several years. In 1993, she joined Market Street Research, a full-service market research firm, as a project manager; two years later she was promoted to vice president. Working on projects such as a survey of attitudes about gambling for a political group and research associated with a hospital's new women's cancer center, Rowen developed expertise in research methodology ranging from focus groups to multivariate statistics. She is now completing her M.B.A. at UMass and does research consulting in addition to her position at Mount Holyoke.
Contact Rowen for assistance with administrative research projects or if you have studies to contribute to the research archive. Her office is on the second floor of the Newhall Center, and she can be reached at extension 2782 and at crowen@mtholyoke.edu.
![[Index]](../index3.gif){kind=small}