Data Governance Group

The purpose of a Data Governance Plan is to establish a structured environment to ensure data quality and consistency, increase accountability and ownership of enterprise data , improve data security, and optimize usage of data for business intelligence and decisionmaking processes. The New River Data Governance Plan was approved by the President's Cabinet in September 2021. The plan is being updated in FY27.

New River's efforts to create this data governance plan were highlighted in a Tambellini Group article in 2019.

Related Policies, Standards, Procedures, and Guidelines

While the Data Governance Plan is an overarching and high-level strategic document, it was not possible to create it without also creating some related policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines to address tactical-level decision-making and to provide an overall context for data governance expectations, responsibilities, and guidance (see IT Plans, Policies, Standards, Procedures, and Guidelines for more information).

Data Governance Training and Resources

As part of our GLBA compliance requirements, training in Sophos is assigned for all full-time employees to improve (a) privacy awareness, (b) data security, and (c) cybersecurity awareness.

Other sources of free data governance training include: (a) Khan Academy (data security and personal data protection), (b) EAB (Higher Ed Data Governance 101), and (c) Educause (Showcase Webinar on Improving Data Quality and Governance). Udemy is a new resource available to New River employees and students. It also includes multiple topics related to AI and Data Governance.

The original Data Governance group members who collaborated to create this plan are preserved with an image to recognize their contributions.

The current Data Governance group members are available to assist if you have questions, need training, or have recommendations. They are:

1. Brooke K. Fincham – Director of Institutional Effectiveness
2. Cheryl L. Stapleton – Director of Human Resources
3. David J. Ayersman – Vice President and CIO
4. Gary P. Davis – Director of Information Security
5. Janelle R. Schofield – Registrar
6. Jason L. Garris – Director of Technology Development
7. Jordan E. Roark – Chief Financial Officer
8. Joshua D. Gill – Information Systems Technician
9. A. Nate Akers - Information Systems Technician
10. Tori D. Taylor – Interim Associate Vice President for External Affairs
11. Zackery Coleman - Platform Manager, Element 451