South Mountain Community College welcomes an all-new Strategy, Insight, and Impact (Institutional Research) team as part of a collaborative effort between SMCC and GateWay Community College to enhance data support and strategic planning across the colleges.
Leading the team is Matt Ashcraft, who has been appointed Associate Vice President (AVP) for Institutional Research at SMCC. He is an executive with over 25 years of experience in institutional effectiveness, research, planning, assessment, and accreditation at the university and community college levels and currently serves as Associate Vice President for Strategy, Insight, and Impact (Institutional Research and Effectiveness) at GateWay. Having served as an Accreditation Liaison Officer, Peer Reviewer, Peer Review Team Chair, and as a member of the Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council, Matt has a deep understanding of accreditation concepts, requirements, and processes.
“As a first-generation community college student who would have never gone to college if it weren't for the existence of community colleges, I am passionate about SMCC's vision and mission. Being a part of the SMCC team, working to ensure generations of diverse students have access to higher education and succeed while at SMCC and in life, is an opportunity too good to pass up,” said Matt.
Matt’s previous experience includes having served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness for the Maricopa Community College District, Dean of Institutional Analysis and Planning for Mesa Community College, Director of Research and Planning for Glendale Community College, Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness for Mesa Community College, and Research Project Manager for the University of Phoenix.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Counseling degree in Community Counseling.
Crystal Theaker is the current Director of Institutional Research at GateWay and will also serve as the Planning and Research Director for Institutional Research at SMCC. Matt and Crystal will serve both SMCC and GateWay equally, with each having a regular physical presence on both campuses.
Crystal is an experienced higher education professional with a strong background in institutional research and data strategy. With a passion for transforming data into action, Crystal helps colleges drive student success and operational effectiveness. As a data professional, she has spearheaded projects to improve equity and inclusion within educational institutions and has effectively leveraged data to enhance student success and foster a culture of continuous improvement within Maricopa Community Colleges. She is innovative and responsive, and develops straightforward solutions to complex problems for stakeholders.
In addition to her research role, Crystal has held an adjunct teaching position with the district for 20 years, and has taught subjects in both mathematics and business divisions. She was born in Arizona and enjoys spending free time with family and friends, traveling, listening to music, crafting, solving puzzles, walking her Boston Terriers at the Gilbert Riparian, and swimming.
Also joining the team is Anabel Torres and Crystal Wang with both serving as a Senior Planning and Research Analyst. They will be cross-trained to provide flexible and responsive support to both colleges.
Anabel is a senior data analyst with over eight years of experience in institutional research and a strong background in data reporting and analysis. Prior to transitioning to the higher education sector – where she found her professional “home” – she spent 13 years as a systems administrator at IBM. Anabel brings deep expertise in federal and external reporting, as well as in data delivery and interpretation. She is known for her passion for continuous learning, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering exceptional customer service.
When she’s not crunching data (and enjoying coffee), Anabel enjoys hiking, running, practicing yoga, bird watching, and spending quality time with her family and her adorable Chihuahua mix.
Crystal is a PhD candidate in Education Policy and Evaluation at Arizona State University. As an education researcher, she specializes in using data-driven research to inform policy-making and leadership strategies for schools. Her work focuses on supporting policy implementation and program evaluation through collaborations with school leaders and local education agencies, including initiatives such as the Teacher Excellence Initiative (Dallas ISD) and the AZ R3 Tutoring Program (Tempe School District).
Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the International Journal of Educational Research and the Journal of Education, Communication, and Innovation, and presented at national conferences such as the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP), and the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM).
Crystal holds a B.A. in Economics from Wake Forest University and an M.Ed. in Education Policy from the University of Washington, Seattle.
The team will begin their new positions on July 1.
Pictured, from left to right: Matt Ashcraft, Crystal Theaker, Anabel Torres, Crystal Wang