Strategic Research
The Office of Strategic Research, led by Vice President Eric Atchison, guides data-driven decision-making and policy development across the ASU System to enhance academic outcomes and operational efficiency.
Key functions include:
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Collecting, analyzing, and managing data on students, employees, academic performance, and finances.
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Ensuring consistent data definitions and valid interpretations to support System policies.
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Developing and maintaining information systems, dashboards, and a systemwide data warehouse.
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Leading data analytics, performance metrics, and special studies for internal and external stakeholders.
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Supporting accreditation processes and academic cost accounting.
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Collaborating with campus research, IT, and administrative staff on data governance and project coordination.
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Responding to legislative and state agency data requests.
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Representing the ASU System in state, regional, and national institutional research organizations.
Just 38% of working adults in Arkansas have a college degree or other credential. The ASU System Strategic Plan focuses on helping working-age adults across Arkansas attain this economic prosperity.
ASU System Credentials Trends
Search ASU System & State Educational Data Trends
The ASU System maintains data resources showing statewide trends in higher education enrollment and credentials, as well as economic data such as state population trends. Check out our variety of interactive charts.
ASU System Factbooks
The ASU System Factbook is a publication produced by the Office of Strategic Research that outlines enrollment, faculty and staff data, and other comprehensive information for the Arkansas State University System campuses. The ASU System Factbook is produced annually and is intended to provide answers to questions that are frequently asked by the administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other university constituents.
Data Reporting & Dictionary
ASU System institutional data professionals routinely help our office balance institutional autonomy with system consistency while constantly working to ensure the accurate, consistent, and timely reporting of institutional data.
The Data Dictionary serves as the operational manual for the electronic submission of institutional data to the ASU System Office and provides a framework to provide accurate, consistent and timely data.
In addition to outlining the various file layouts and data definitions commonly used by the System, this document contains a summary of reporting policies and deadlines, a listing of institutional contacts, relevant online links and other applicable information. It undergoes routine reviews to meet the changing data needs of the ASU System, state and federal government and individual institutions.
The data derived from this document are used to make informed governing decisions concerning the ASU System. The data are also used by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, legislature, various media outlets, and other public and private entities.
Little Rock, AR 72201
General inquiries to the ASU System office may be emailed to president@asusystem.edu.