Western Michigan University - Kalamazoo, MI
posted 3 months ago
About the position
The Financial Aid Strategic Analyst position at Western Michigan University is a full-time, regular role within the College of Associate Provost Enrollment Management, specifically in the Department of Student Financial Aid. This position is designed to leverage analytics, big data, and artificial intelligence to enhance financial aid strategies for federal, state, and institutional aid, while also managing the endowed scholarship portfolio. The analyst will play a crucial role in refining financial aid offers to maximize support for both prospective and current students, ensuring that the financial aid processes are efficient and effective. In this role, the analyst will develop and implement advanced analytical models and visualizations aimed at evaluating and enhancing financial aid strategies. This includes analyzing large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights related to financial aid applications and disbursement. The analyst will collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to utilize big data and AI technologies to improve financial aid processes and offers. A key responsibility will be to communicate complex data findings clearly and concisely to stakeholders across the university, ensuring that all parties are informed and engaged in the financial aid strategy. Additionally, the analyst will support the department by coordinating data across all financial aid systems and platforms, collaborating with other departments to identify and fulfill data needs, and managing system migrations. The role also involves participating in the selection and maintenance of external vendor platforms to ensure their services align with the university's financial aid objectives. Staying current with trends and developments in financial aid, big data, analytics, and AI is essential for continuously enhancing processes and offerings. The analyst will also provide training and support to staff on recent technologies and analytical tools related to financial aid, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the department.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement advanced analytical models and visualizations to evaluate and enhance financial aid strategies.
- Analyze large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights related to financial aid applications and disbursement.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to leverage big data and AI technologies to improve financial aid processes and offers.
- Communicate complex data findings in a clear and concise manner to stakeholders across the University.
- Coordinate data across all financial aid systems and platforms to support the department.
- Collaborate with other departments to identify and fulfill data needs.
- Manage system migrations and participate in selecting and maintaining external vendor platforms.
- Stay current with trends and developments in financial aid, big data, analytics, and AI to enhance processes and offerings.
- Provide training and support to staff on recent technologies and analytical tools related to financial aid.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
- One year's relevant experience.
- Experience in designing and implementing financial aid optimization strategies.
- Proven experience in analytics, big data, visualization techniques, databases, or AI.
- Working experience of financial aid regulations and processes.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Experience in statistical modeling, data mining, and predictive analytics.
- Proficiency in data analytics tools and software.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse team.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition discount for employees
- Tuition remission for eligible dependents
