Scott Barge has accepted an appointment as Eastern Mennonite University’s next director of institutional research and effectiveness. Barge begins in his role this summer. He replaces B.J. Miller, who served nine years and is moving to the National Defense University in Washington D.C.
Barge comes to EMU from Goshen College, where he has been interim vice president for enrollment and marketing, and before that, director of assessment, institutional research and effectiveness.
“The search committee and I were impressed by the breadth and depth of Dr. Barge’s skills and experience in institutional research and assessment,” said Provost Fred Kniss. “We also recognized his commitment to Mennonite higher education, his knowledge of current challenges faced by small universities, and his leadership and communication skills. We are confident that he will make significant contributions to the quality of the educational experience for our students and the strategic advancement of our university.”
The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness collects, analyzes and reports data about the university to support decision-making, planning and effectiveness. The office coordinates and supports outcomes assessment efforts in all academic, educational support and administrative units of the university.
“I look forward to contributing to EMU’s continued growth and advancement through collaborative work across campus that builds on the solid institutional research and effectiveness foundation in place,” said Barge.”It has been exciting to observe the university’s development in recent years, and I resonate with its articulated vision for the future as a Christian-Anabaptist university.”
Barge received his EdD in higher education at Harvard University and worked in institutional research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and LCC International University in Lithuania. He has done consulting work in the field of institutional research and assessment at several universities around the world.
Among other skills, Barge is an accomplished pianist and also enjoys singing in a local choir, St. Joseph Valley Camerata. He and his wife Nessa Stoltzfus ’99 Barge are active participants at Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, where Barge assists with music leadership and serves on the finance committee.