Staff and Services

Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Aron Stephens
Director of Planning and Assessment

Phone: 337-475-5591
Email: astephens@mcneese.edu

BA, BS, Northwestern State University of Louisiana
MS, McNeese State University
Joined IRE January 2026

Programmatic accreditation support
Academic program, unit, and general education assessment
Institutional review and strategic planning
Curriculum and course development
Academic catalog
University policies
Ad hoc requests

Smiling person with glasses and curly hair wearing a navy polo shirt against a gray backdrop.

Dane A. O’Blanc
Director of Institutional Research

Phone: (337) 475-5080
Email: doblanc@mcneese.edu

BS, MBA, McNeese State University
Graduate Certificate, UC San Diego Extension
Joined IRE May 2006

State reporting
Federal reporting
IRE website
Data analytics and visualization
University Factbook
Professional licensure
Ad hoc requests

Renella Martin
Assistant Director of Institutional Research

Phone: (337) 475-5509
Email: rmartin1@mcneese.edu

BS, Northwestern State University of Louisiana
AS, SOWELA Technical Community College
Joined IRE December 2018

State reporting
Federal reporting
Faculty workloads
Budget
Ad hoc requests

Smiling woman in a blue sleeveless top against a gray background

Sarah Howard
Assessment Specialist

Phone: (337) 475-5512
Email: showard7@mcneese.edu

BS, McNeese State University
Joined IRE July 2024

Academic program and unit assessment
General education assessment
Institutional accreditation support
Programmatic accreditation support
Ad hoc requests

Tonya Laughlin
Coordinator of Surveys and Data Collection

Phone: (337) 475-5510
Email: tlaughlin@mcneese.edu

AS, SOWELA Technical Community College
Joined IRE December 2003

Class Climate System and related surveys and assessments
Survey development
Student Evaluation of Instruction (SEI) process and report creation
Institution-wide peer review process
IRE website
University Factbook
Ad hoc requests

Kathleen (Kay) Dougay
Special Projects Analyst

Phone: (337) 475-5077
Email: kdougay@mcneese.edu

BS, McNeese State University
Joined IRE 1982

Special projects
Faculty credentialing
SACSCOC compliance support

Graduate Assistant

TBA

Student Worker

Riley Daboval

Riley is from Lake Arthur, LA, and is studying Radiologic Sciences.

Our Mission Statement

The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at McNeese State University is dedicated to advancing the University’s mission of academic excellence, student success, and community engagement through data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. As a cornerstone of our institution, we pledge to foster a culture of evidence-based practices, transparency, and accountability that empowers stakeholders at all levels.

Our mission is threefold:

Data Integrity and Analysis: We commit to collecting, maintaining, and reporting accurate and reliable institutional data. Through rigorous analysis and interpretation, we provide actionable insights that inform strategic planning, policy development, and resource allocation. Our goal is to support evidence-based decision-making that aligns with the University’s core values and goals.

Student-Centered Focus: We prioritize enhancing student success and engagement by examining the entire student lifecycle. By analyzing enrollment patterns, retention rates, graduation rates, and learning outcomes, we identify areas for improvement and innovation. This allows us to collaborate with academic and administrative units to implement effective interventions and support systems that maximize student achievement.

Continuous Improvement: We are dedicated to cultivating a culture of continuous improvement across all aspects of the University. Through ongoing assessment and evaluation of academic programs, administrative processes, and institutional effectiveness, we enable the University to adapt to changing needs and challenges. By providing evidence of our successes and opportunities for growth, we contribute to the University’s pursuit of excellence.

Our commitment to the University community encompasses:

Collaboration: We collaborate with faculty, staff, administrators, and students to ensure that our data and insights address their needs and contribute to their goals. By fostering open dialogue and cooperation, we promote a collective commitment to institutional advancement.
Innovation: We seek innovative approaches to data collection, analysis, and reporting. By staying current with best practices in institutional research, assessment, and technology, we continuously enhance our capabilities to provide relevant and timely information.
Transparency: We uphold transparency by providing accessible and understandable information to internal and external stakeholders. We ensure that our findings, reports, and recommendations are communicated effectively to support informed decision-making and build trust within the University community.
Ethical Practice: We adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct in our data collection, analysis, and reporting. We prioritize privacy, confidentiality, and responsible use of data to protect the rights and interests of individuals and the institution.

In all our endeavors, the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness remains dedicated to empowering McNeese State University to fulfill its educational mission. Through our commitment to data-driven excellence, we contribute to shaping a vibrant and responsive University community that thrives in an ever-evolving higher education landscape.

Our Commitment

IRE adheres to the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice established by the Association for Institutional Research and SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation 1.1 (Integrity). These documents guide our professional practice and outline our professional values, which include a commitment to continuing education; objectivity; fairness; confidentiality; and, above all, integrity. Our Office strives to be an objective, trusted resource for all campus constituents. See also our statement on Survey Administration.