NGCSU names new director of institutional research

DAHLONEGA – North Georgia College & State University has named a research analyst with more than a decade of experience managing institutional data and research projects at Valdosta State University to be its new director of institutional research.

Linda Gooden will provide leadership in the development and analysis of information resources for institutional research, planning, assessment, and informed decision-making at North Georgia. She will also design and conduct research and provide reporting of data to the campus and external constituencies.

Gooden, who holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a Master of Education in educational leadership, will manage a comprehensive program of institutional research to inform administrative functions and to enhance the quality of student learning at the university.

“A major goal of mine is to provide North Georgia's administration and other internal constituencies with practical and appropriate analyses to facilitate information-based decision making, which is especially important during this economic climate,” Gooden said.

“Another equally important goal is for institutional research to provide assistance and consultation for the university's departmental assessment efforts such as data gathering, data analysis and survey production.”

Gooden’s other responsibilities include managing federal and state reporting and dissemination of data to other external units, such as publishers of college guides. She will also supervise two research analysts and develop strategies to best use departmental and university resources to ensure that valuable, effective information is available to the campus.