UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Amy Elliott has been named assistant vice provost for data management and operations with Penn State’s Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research (OPAIR), effective on Feb. 1. Elliott was appointed to the newly created role after serving as OPAIR’s director of project operations since April 2020 and as interim director of data management since June 2021.
“After a thorough search, Amy was selected for her professional experience, leadership abilities, and proven track record of process improvement and innovation within OPAIR and across the University. She is a natural leader and champion of the work that we do. This appointment is well earned, and we’re happy to see her continue to grow on our team,” said Lance Kennedy-Phillips, vice provost for planning, assessment, and institutional research.
As assistant vice provost for data management and operations, Elliott provides leadership for the data management and operations team. The team retrieves, compiles, and models institutional data for institutional research, analysis, and reporting, using appropriate data sources and validating data automation and models to ensure accuracy for data consumers across the University. The group also provides project management and business process analysis support and training for OPAIR and University-wide initiatives.
The data management and operations team is responsible for the current development of the University’s institutional data repository (IDR), a cloud-based framework with the capability to quickly expand the data repository while providing a secure and user-friendly environment to access data. Other current data models managed by the group include the University’s informational COVID dashboards; Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; Penn State’s Data Digest; and Penn State Institutional Insight (iTwo), a web-based and metadata-driven data access, analysis, and distribution environment available to Penn State information users. The team is presently focused on project operations for Penn State’s 2024 self-study reaccreditation process, IDR implementation, the iTwo transition, and One Penn State 2025.
“My career has always focused on improvement, whether that be with processes, procedures, systems, or infrastructure; I’ve always strived to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of work functions,” said Elliott. “In my current job, management of data-retrieval systems should be invisible to end-users and work smoothly, allowing them to leverage data easily. Data consumers should never be burdened with how these systems are configured; but able to seamlessly access the information required to best do their jobs.”
Before joining OPAIR, Elliott worked in Penn State’s Undergraduate Admissions office as an IT project manager.
Elliott holds a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from Penn State.
“I’m regularly inspired by the work of my team, knowing that it adds value to this institution,” said Elliott. “It’s always appreciated when you’re told that you’ve made someone’s work easier or solved a specific problem, but when you’re able to start connecting those efforts to the overall vision of the institution, that’s what truly drives the work that we do.”