Muncie Reporter

Ball State University Hires Michael Lane to Lead Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support

Michael Lane will join Ball State University as associate vice president for institutional research, analytics, and decision support, effective July 1, Dr. Charlene Alexander, chief strategy officer, announced. 

Mr. Lane, who has more than 25 years of experience in institutional research roles in higher education, will be providing strategic leadership for and overall management of Ball State’s Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support. The unit provides data and analysis to support Ball State’s decision-making process; coordinates reporting to various federal, state, and external agencies; and maintains the accuracy of University statistics in several reports, including the annual Factbook. 

“We are excited that Michael will be joining our University as we continue to meet the changing needs in dynamic regional and national higher education markets,” Dr. Alexander said. “Michael has proven throughout his career to be a collaborative and impactful leader. His experience, passion, and sense of duty make him an excellent fit to lead our Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support.” 

Mr. Lane started his career at the New York Institute of Technology, where he has spent the last 25-plus years playing an important role in the university’s institutional research, analytics, and decision support efforts. Starting in 1996 as a research assistant before ascending to associate director, director, and, most recently, senior director of New York Tech’s Office of Research, Assessment and Decision Support, Mr. Lane helped foster a culture of data-informed decision making. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to support Ball State’s student success initiatives and provide strategic leadership to the Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support,” Mr. Lane said. “As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, I am a dedicated believer in the promise of higher education to both enrich the mind and to also enable fulfilling careers. I believe that every institution should attempt to be a model citizen of its community. Ball State’s mission and values align with my own personal values.” 

During his career at New York Tech, Mr. Lane led the development of the university’s first data warehouse. Additionally, as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, he led the institution’s first-ever campus climate survey, which will guide New York Tech’s strategic planning for years to come. 

Mr. Lane holds an associate’s degree in Accounting from Suffolk Community College in Selden, N.Y.; a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y; and a Master of Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology. 

“My time at New York Tech has been very rewarding, and I have been involved in or led many efforts to improve the use of data,” Mr. Lane said. “I look forward to a new opportunity for change and growth at Ball State, and to support the effective use of administrative data for reporting, analysis, and actionable insight.” 

In addition to announcing Mr. Lane’s hiring, Dr. Alexander thanked Alex Kluber, senior data and decision analyst, for his service as interim associate vice president for institutional research, analytics, and decision support.

Original source can be found here.