KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 7, 2018

Mark Byrd has dedicated his career to higher education research and planning

Kennesaw State University has appointed Mark Byrd as executive director for institutional research, effective Dec. 3.

Byrd brings more than 20 years’ experience in higher education research, analysis and planning, most recently as assistant vice president for institutional research and analysis at Wayne State University. He also has served as executive director for institutional research and information management at Eastern Michigan University, director of institutional research at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and director of institutional research and planning at Virginia Wesleyan College.

Byrd will oversee Kennesaw State’s Office of Institutional Research, which collects, analyzes, interprets and reports data and information to support the University’s planning, policy making, decision making and assessment. The Office is the central source of official institutional information such as census data to report to the U.S. Department of Education and University System of Georgia.

“Mark Byrd’s proven track record in the field made him an ideal fit for this role,” said Jeff Delaney, KSU’s vice president of information technology and chief information officer. “Mark has developed and led institutional research efforts in both the public and private sectors of higher education. We are more committed than ever to effective institutional research at Kennesaw State, and Mark will do an excellent job of leading that.”

Byrd has been involved in numerous efforts to bolster his community, including the National Institutes of Health-funded ReBUILDetroit Program supporting the development of underrepresented students interested in biomedical research careers, and the National Science Foundation-funded Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. He has been a member of the Michigan Association of State Universities Analytics Studies Committee since 2002 and has served on the board for the national SAS Users Group for Institutional Researchers (SUGIR).

Byrd is pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Research, Evaluation and Assessment from the University of Michigan. He earned a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University. He is an independent consultant to higher education institutions and a regular presenter and reviewer at state and national conferences on topics related to institutional research, analytics and assessment.

– Paul Floeckher

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.