Campbell named director of Auburn University's Office of Institutional Research

Auburn University’s Office of the Provost has named Matthew Campbell as the new director of the university’s Office of Institutional Research, or IR, effective June 1. Campbell has served as a senior analyst and data architect and succeeds Drew Clark, who announced his decision to step down from the director position last year after serving in that role for nearly two decades.

As director, Campbell will lead a central unit responsible for providing institutional data and research services to support university-level initiatives and campus departments. By advancing institutional research activities that support the university's decision-making, Campbell will promote ongoing policy development and reporting through rigorous data collection, analysis and advanced analytical techniques.

"Dr. Campbell’s expertise as an analyst, combined with his knowledge of data strategy and understanding of the changing information needs of our university, will enable him to reposition the IR office to provide even greater decision-making support across the university," said Provost Bill Hardgrave. "I look forward to working with him."

An IR professional for more than 15 years, Campbell brings comprehensive experience to the role, including serving as the primary data steward for the institution’s required reporting to governmental agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. As a campus partner, Campbell will ensure the IR office advances Auburn’s mission by ensuring its continued responsiveness and commitment to institutional improvement.

“Since the founding of the office nearly six decades ago, IR has been Auburn’s source of factual, research-based information about the institution,” said Campbell. “Thanks to the institution’s investment in technology, we are now able to leverage data, context and meaning to decision-makers across the campus and beyond, making this a transformational time for IR yet one also grounded in its legacy.”

Since 2011, Campbell has served as the university's primary data source for many of its strategic initiatives, including institution rankings, SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation, program-level accrediting, strategic budgeting and data support to grant-awarding agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institute for Health.

Through his work with campus stakeholders, Campbell has also played a primary role in improving data quality for the university's internal framework. His experience includes serving as the lead designer for the student, course and faculty data sources currently used across the institution to support information programs such as Qlik, OneAuburn and the university's new Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, platform, Salesforce.

In addition to his university work, Campbell is the past-president of the Southern Association for Institutional Research, one of the industry’s oldest and largest organizations for professionals in institutional research.

A native of Athens, Alabama, Campbell holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in public administration from Auburn University.