David Putman

What is your current occupational position or career, and what are your job responsibilities?

I'm currently the Director of Institutional Research for the College of Wooster. I provide data-informed recommendations for institutional effectiveness, financial planning and budgeting, and student retention initiatives. I also coordinate external and internal reporting along with accreditation and compliance objectives across campus.

How did the EVAL/RMS program prepare you to obtain or advance in your career? 

The program helped prepare me in numerous ways.  Whether building a complex statistical model, organizing or analyzing a large data set, or presenting findings to others, everything I do exists on a foundation built through the RMS program. It also helped me to approach most of what I do from the point of view of a researcher, looking at everything from an analytical and mathematical perspective.

What did you most enjoy about the EVAL/RMS program, or being a student at Kent State University?

The single thing that stands out for me as both a student and alum of the RMS program is the faculty. Not only are they excellent professors, but it was clear from the first day that they all care so genuinely for their students, both personally and professionally. I also really appreciate that the curriculum remains relevant for our industry, offering a variety of courses and topics.

Any other information about yourself that you would like to provide?

I'm incredibly proud to have graduated from Kent State and the RMS program and use the knowledge gained in the program both in my career and in multiple other ways.