February 29, 2012

Vineyard to lead Institutional Research & Studies

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A three-degree graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale will become interim director of Institutional Research & Studies at the University, effective March 1.

Chancellor Rita Cheng today (Feb. 29) announced the appointment of George M. Vineyard to the post.  He replaces Larry Schilling, who retired in December 2011.  Institutional Research & Studies provides management information and decision support, and ensures the University is in compliance with all state, federal and accrediting agencies’ reporting requirements.

“Institutional Research & Studies is an extremely valuable resource, and George will bring extensive knowledge of our University and the many agencies we work with to this position,” Cheng said.

A national search for a permanent director will begin later this spring.

Vineyard has served as a researcher in Enrollment Management at SIU Carbondale since January 2009.  Among his responsibilities are: evaluate existing admission criteria and suggest alternatives; identify activities that enhance yield and retention; develop models to maximize financial aid; conduct ongoing market research on student satisfaction, attitudes and learning outcomes; liaison to colleges, departments, units and individuals on campus for student data and reports.

During 2007 and 2008, Vineyard was the lead researcher in Institutional Research & Studies for the Illinois Shared Enrollment and Graduation Consortium.  In that role, he worked with a variety of state and national organizations, providing data and reports.

Previous SIU Carbondale positions include working as a researcher for Student Health Services’ Core Institute and as a researcher for the Center for Basic Skills.

From January 2006 through June 2007, Vineyard served as director of Institutional Research and Planning at McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill.

He earned his doctorate in educational psychology-statistics and measurement in 2005; his master’s degree in education-human learning and development in 1999; and his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1996.