Mission
The mission of the Office of Institutional research is to strengthen institutional decision-making and planning at West Valley College through data analytics, performance and assessment reporting, and the cultivation of accessible data systems, data literacy, and integrated planning tools.
Vision
Illuminating pathways for effective decision-making.
By 2030, we will be California's most data-empowered, institutionally effective community college, where every College decision maker can instantly access and understand college-wide and their program key metrics, every major decision is aligned to our mission and is backed by clear evidence of impact on student success and equity.
Core Values
Learning drives everything we do. We are not afraid to set ambitious goals, embrace challenges, and approach each day as an opportunity to grow. When we encounter setbacks, we transform them into learning opportunities, knowing that continuous learning strengthens both our individual and collective capabilities.
Care guides how we work together. We support each other's growth, reach beyond departmental boundaries, and communicate with clarity and intent. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and safe to share ideas and take risks, recognizing that trust and mutual support drive our collective success.
Our commitment to service excellence drives us to deliver accurate data and information in clear, accessible formats. We anticipate challenges and understand our stakeholders' evolving needs, ensuring our work provides meaningful support for decision-making.
What We Do
Office of Institutional Research supports the college in many areas, including:
- Program review data
- Program evaluation and grant data support
- Survey and focus group support, design, administration, and analysis
- Data dashboard design, development & maintenance
- College-wide institutional planning and evaluation
- Development of institutional key performance indicators, tracking & analysis
- Mandated reporting, including IPEDS, accreditation & state-mandated reporting
- Workshops and training on various topics related to research, student equity & institutional effectiveness and planning
Institutional Research FAQ
The Office of Institutional Research provide a wide-array of data already (please check West Valley Data Dashboard and Report Warehouse). If these data do not meet your needs, please assemble the following and submit a Research Request:
- Research question/problem statement
- Project context/background
- Specific information/data you need
- How you intend to use the information/data
- Approval of your Dean or supervisor (required prior to request submission)
You will be asked for the above information in the request ticket. You can always reach out to us for an initial consultation.
We are managing several projects at the same time and prioritize projects using the following criteria:
- Is the project for accreditation, accountability, and compliance reporting?
- Does the project inform the college’s mission and its strategic goals, initiatives, and priorities?
- Deadlines
- Intended use of results and impact on students
Basic statics about our students are available on our Fast Facts page. A more detailed information can be found from the West Valley Data Dashboard page
Data may come from many sources. The most typical data our office uses comes from West Valley-Mission CCD’s Data Warehouse, a repository of curated and structured data, which is ultimately sourced from Banner, the West Valley-Mission CCD’s student information system. This includes information on student demographics, enrollment, outcomes, and courses. Transfer data may come from UC and CSU’s publicly available data sources and National Student Clearinghouse. Sometimes, we also use data from publicly available dashboards and special dataset provided by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). Other data may come from surveys that have been conducted. We determine that best source or combination of sources depending on the project’s purpose.