[photo]

David Davis-Van Atta, Director

Office of Institutional Research at Vassar College
124 Raymond Ave., Box 469, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604–0469
Main Bldg., First Floor, north, Room 168
Phone: (845) 437–5491
ddavisva@vassar.edu

In October 2007, Vassar welcomed David Davis-Van Atta as the new director of institutional research. He brings 13 years of experience as the director of institutional research at Carleton College in Minnesota to his new role at Vassar. Earlier work included positions with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Oberlin College (Office of Institutional Research). Through surveys, data, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis, the Office of Institutional Research aims to develop and provide enhanced understandings of Vassar’s resources, strengths, challenges, and its environments generally, both internal and external. As the director, Davis-Van Atta oversees the development, organization, analysis, and reporting of all studies and centralized institutional research in order accurately and effectively to inform the primary decision makers of the college on issues and questions related to topics such as endowment, budget, admissions, financial aid/affordability, and various assessments of the College in general. These include the Board, President, senior officers, standing and ad hoc committees of the college, as well as faculty, staff, and students generally.

Vassar has never had a director of a formal or centralized IR function before this, and Davis-Van Atta is honored to be the first. He explained, “There was a great buzz about this new position [at Vassar] — the opportunity to be creative, to make something that doesn’t yet exist, was really exciting. I am very happy to be here, and look forward to getting to know Vassar and meeting its community.”

In addition to the enthusiasm David Davis-Van Atta brings to his job, he is also has passions for gardening, particularly water gardening, intermediate and long-distance cycling (a completer of RAIN, the one-day ride across Indiana, 167 miles), orchid culture, and lepidoptery, the study of butterflies and moths. He is a member of the North American Butterfly Association, and recently established a chapter in Poughkeepsie for the annual NABA Butterfly Count, which he is excited to begin for Dutchess County. His educational background is in physics and astronomy, including holding the (dubious) distinction of having been Carleton’s last formal major in Astronomy. He maintains current interests in these fields, particularly in quantum mechanics, including entanglement and interpretations of Bell’s Inequalities.