Assessment & Strategic Planning

Dr. Vanessa F. Harrison

Director, Assessment & Strategic Planning
vzt0004@auburn.edu
Office: 334-844-1321

Dr. Vanessa F. Harrison serves as the Director of Assessment & Strategic Planning at Auburn University within the Division of Student Affairs. In this role, she leads the coordination, design, implementation, and interpretation of assessment, evaluation, and research projects that align with the mission and strategic plan of both Student Affairs and Auburn University. Dr. Harrison and her team are dedicated to fostering data-informed decision-making and promoting a culture of evidence, collaboration, and continuous quality improvement.

With fifteen years of experience in higher education, Dr. Harrison has a rich background in managing federally funded, applied research projects and has also served as an instructor for experiential learning tied to these projects. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Auburn University, specializing in program evaluation and research methods.

Dr. Harrison is passionate about holistic student support and is committed to guiding students through their academic journeys and beyond. Alongside her administrative duties, she continues to teach as adjunct faculty, offering graduate-level courses in educational research methods and assessment, as well as first-year experience seminar courses.

Rachel Odomes, M.Ed.

Senior Analyst, Assessment & Strategic Planning
odomes@auburn.edu
Office: 334-844-5004

Rachel Odomes is the Senior Analyst in the office of Assessment & Strategic Planning, within Student Affairs at Auburn University. Rachel has extensive experience in working with multi-agency evaluations: coordinating with implementation agencies, delivering and monitoring partners’ delivery of healthy relationship programming in communities, developing and training staff on data collection and curriculum fidelity protocols, and collecting data from participants and staff.

Additionally, Rachel brings unique expertise in data analysis and report development for large, state-wide, multi-agency evaluations. Rachel has also served as a researcher and data analyst on a state funded, community-based project where she was responsible for managing data & running analysis.

Rachel’s passion for fostering student success plays a pivotal role in evaluating and enhancing the student experience here at Auburn University. She is committed to assisting with making data-informed decisions, while also promoting continuous improvement across student affairs initiatives.