About
About Me
James Salamon
I’m James Salamon, a higher education data professional based in Easthampton, MA. I currently serve as Associate Director of Institutional Research and Assessment at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), where I lead data strategy and assessment, as well as reporting and business intelligence, across a multi-campus institution.
Background
My career has been shaped by a passion for economics and a deep interest in how systems influence outcomes. I earned a BA in Economics from Wheaton College (Massachusetts), followed by an MA in Economics and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Early in my career, I worked at the New York City Department of Education’s Research and Policy Support Group. That experience taught me how to navigate complex data systems, respond to external research requests, and manage large-scale data retrieval. I supported projects ranging from mayoral data inquiries to custom data deliveries for education researchers. It gave me a lasting appreciation for the importance of well-governed, well-documented data.
From there, I joined NYC 311 operations as a workforce management analyst, which deepened my skills in process optimization and operational analytics. This role, based in municipal government rather than higher education, gave me valuable experience applying data solutions in a fast-paced public service environment. It strengthened my ability to translate data into operational improvements, a skill that continues to inform my work.
These roles set the foundation for what would become my professional focus: helping organizations use data to make better, more strategic decisions.
Over the past decade, I have worked across a variety of higher education institutions, including The New School’s creative and interdisciplinary programs and the health sciences focus of MCPHS.
My passion has always been the same: transforming complex data into clear insights that drive success and support organizational goals.
What Drives My Work
I care deeply about making data more accessible and empowering institutional stakeholders to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Whether I am building enterprise-level data systems, designing assessment frameworks, or sharing insights at national conferences, I believe that strong data storytelling is essential to driving meaningful change.
My work spans the entire data lifecycle, with strengths in:
- Strategic planning and institutional effectiveness
- Data infrastructure and governance
- Business intelligence and data visualization
- Assessment design and accreditation support
- Survey methodology and statistical analysis
Beyond the Data
I contribute actively to the institutional research community through organizations such as NEAIR, where I present regularly, mentor newer professionals, and served as the 2024 Gives Back Coordinator. I also facilitate Coffee Chats for the Association for Institutional Research, where members exchange ideas and tackle shared challenges in the field.
I’m a presenter, collaborator, and workshop leader passionate about using open-source tools like R and Quarto to modernize data practices in institutional research and other fields.
Continuous Learning
I believe in ongoing growth, both in technical skills and professional leadership. My professional development includes the EDUCAUSE New Managers Institute, Data Governance Essentials program, the Colleges of the Fenway Leadership Management Program, and certifications through the CITI Program in research ethics and data privacy. Beyond formal training, I find purpose in mentoring emerging professionals and exploring how evolving technologies can solve complex, real-world problems through data.