The Fairmont State University Data Governance Committee initiative establishes a comprehensive framework to transform the university's management of its critical data assets. In response to growing challenges, including data silos, unclear data ownership, unreliable and untrusted reporting, inaccurate and aged application integrations, a lack of data standards, compliance risks, and inconsistent communication between departments, this framework will implement structured governance practices across all university functions.
The implementation of a data governance plan establishes a framework that addresses these challenges while fostering a university-wide culture shift toward data readiness and preparedness. The CIO and Director of IR&E will co-chair the committee. Along with key stakeholders from campus departments, they will lead this initiative. The scope of governance must be campus-wide, with representation from all areas.
Fairmont State University increasingly relies on accurate, consistent, and accessible data across all departments to support institutional effectiveness, drive strategic decisions, monitor student success, ensure regulatory compliance, reduce and prevent risk, optimize operations, improve reporting accuracy, and support strategic data analytics.
Fairmont State Data Governance Committee
- Paul Steinhaus, CIO (Co-Chair)
- Lindsey Guinn, Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (Co-Chair)
- Walt Chmiel, Sr. Programmer Analyst
- Rhonda Kuhn, Assistant VP for Finance and Accounting
- Luke Kopp, Assistant VP for Student Wellbeing and Housing
- Barbara MacLennan, Assistant Professor of Geography
- Jason McCoy, Assistant VP for Enrollment Services
- Travis Morgan, Director of Infrastructure and Cybersecurity
- Lori Schoonmaker, Registrar