Promoting data-driven leadership

On December 1, Julie Santiago, Ed.D., arrived on campus as the new director of institutional research at Lenoir-Rhyne, which places her at the helm of interpreting and analyzing data related to all aspects of university life.

“My role is to serve as a data resource for other offices on campus and to empower campus leadership to use analytics and evidence to make decisions and improvements, particularly for students,” she explained. “In a nutshell, the institutional research office is a one-stop shop for all things data related on campus.”

By facilitating evidence-based decisions, institutional researchers ensure the strategies that affect everything from majors to meal plans are closely aligned with the needs of students, faculty, staff, and the community.

“Dr. Santiago has more than a decade of experience and expertise in institutional research, including visualization and analytics, reporting for federal and state entities and accreditation. I am excited and thrilled to have her join our community,” shared Jennifer Burris, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in English from Clemson University, Santiago obtained a master of science in management information systems from Georgia College and State University.

“I started my career as a programmer, working on systems like USAJobs. One fun fact about me is that I ran the Y2K testing center for all the systems at the United States Office of Personnel Management in Macon, Georgia.”

Once she had done her part to avert the technology crash of software and hardware unequipped to process the date change to the year 2000, Santiago began looking beyond programming.

“The work itself was varied and satisfying, but I began to want something beyond a cubicle in a large room with no windows,” she shared. “A good friend suggested I apply to be a faculty member at the local state college.”

Santiago worked as an assistant professor of information technology at Macon State University — now Middle Georgia State University — for almost 10 years. After completing her doctorate in higher education administration at Georgia Southern University, Santiago moved on to become director of institutional research and planning for the University of Mount Olive.

“When I made the jump to institutional research, I found I had the best of both information technology and programming as well as academic engagement and student support. Technology brings information to your fingertips, but a liberal arts education shows you how to use that information.”

An outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking and mountain biking, Santiago and her family have enjoyed the beauty of western North Carolina since moving here in 2013 — but she was still taken with the beauty of autumn at LR.

“There’s a vibrancy to the campus that is so refreshing, and I look forward to working with such an open and welcoming group of people,” she shared. “It’s also been a long time since I’ve been at an institution with a football team, so I’m excited to say ‘Go Bears!’”