Thomas Kirnbauer

I’m the Director of Institutional Research for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) in Academic Affairs. In this capacity, I provide analysis and insights to support data-informed, strategic decision making across the campus. These efforts include extracting and analyzing data from a variety of sources, creating visualizations and dashboards using business intelligence tools, and communicating research findings to our stakeholders. I’m also responsible for overseeing external data submissions including the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. News World & Report Best Colleges Rankings, and several others. 

Prior to coming to Davidson in April 2024, I’ve spent over a decade working in Higher Education. Most recently, I served as the Executive Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment at Manhattan College in New York City. My other experiences include working at Hofstra University, the Center for Postsecondary Research (CPR) at Indiana University, and my alma mater – Stony Brook University. My scholarly work is focused on the intersection of Student Success and Socioeconomic Status in Higher Education. I’ve also presented at several national conferences including the Annual Institutional Research (AIR) Forum and the Assessment Institute.

Beyond my professional expertise, my passion for student success stems from my own journey as a first-generation college student that pursued a liberal arts undergraduate degree. I’m excited to continue leveraging my expertise and passion as a part of the Wildcat community!