Institutional Research and Planning

Institutional Research and Planning
Institutional Research and Planning
Institutional Data
Student Right to Know
Peers
Staff
From Data to Decisions: A CDO’s Lens
13,239
Total Headcount (Fall 2025)
9,975
Undergraduate Headcount (Fall 2025)
3,264
Graduate Headcount (Fall 2025)
512
Full-Time Instructional Faculty (Fall 2025)
About
The Office of Institutional Research and Planning (IRP) collects and analyzes data for the production of reports submitted to various institutions and agencies, including the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Our statistical studies and data analyses are conducted to assist with administrative and academic decision-making, aid in the strategic planning process, and provide institutional data for accrediting agencies.
In addition, IRP aids strategic, academic, and financial planning processes by delivering actionable insights through analytics. This includes providing up-to-date information, comparisons with peer institutions, and forecasts of upcoming trends. Additionally, the department addresses both internal and external inquiries about the demographics, programs, and curriculum of Marshall University.
Furthermore, IRP oversees the university’s data governance initiative. Utilizing tools such as MUBERT and Microsoft PowerBI, among others, IRP offers refined data perspectives. The data governance council is actively enhancing data description, determining management roles, and fostering a culture where decisions are rooted in data.
IRP works closely through strategic collaborations with entities including the Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Information Technology, Enrollment Management, Budget Office, Registrar’s Office, Center for Teaching and Learning, deans’ offices, and others.
Resources
Institutional Research & Planning Service Level Agreement (PDF)
Defines IRP’s data, analytics, and Business Intelligence services, request processes, and service expectations. IRP’s SLA
IRP Data Request Form
Used to request data or analysis not already available through the IRP public site or MU BERT. Requests may include custom analysis or development of new dashboards and reports.
Institutional Factbooks
Official, validated institutional metrics published on a recurring schedule to support planning, benchmarking, and executive decision-making. Access to Institutional Factbooks is granted based on institutional role and job function, consistent with data governance, FERPA, and security policies. Access is not granted upon individual request. Units should work through supervisory channels to confirm appropriate access needs.
Staff
Brian M. Morgan
| Vice President for Institutional Research and Planning / Chief Data Officer | 304-696-6469
Jessica Lowman
| Director of Institutional Research & Assistant Professor / Archivist & Digital Stewardship Librarian
Douglas Tuers
| Institutional Research Analyst Sr. | 304-696-3648
Madison Martin
| Research Analyst and Grant Writer |
For general questions, please contact us by email at
irp@marshall.edu