PIRA MIssion Statement

The Office of Planning, Institutional Research, and Assessment (PIRA) is responsible for providing the University of Miami community with data and analysis to improve institutional effectiveness for all academic and non-academic programs. The office responds to requests from constituencies within the University to support decision-making, assessment, policy analysis, effective management, and planning. It also responds to requests for information from outside agencies and institutions, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and generates annual reports showing trends and comparisons with other universities. The office’s assessment team implements and supports useful approaches toward assessment that foster the University’s learning, teaching, research, and community outreach activities as part of its strategic continuous improvement plan. In addition to serving as a liaison to the faculty and staff of the individual schools, colleges, and departments, the office is responsible for the institution’s reaffirmation process. The office’s Testing and Evaluation Services group, formerly the Testing Center, coordinates machine scanning and scoring of tests and surveys, online and paper-based administration of faculty/course evaluations, survey design and tabulation, and measurement consultation.