Title: Graduate Research Fellow

Employee Classification: Other Professionals

Institution: System Office

Department: Policy and Strategy

Campus Location:

Job Summary

TBR-The College System of Tennessee serves community colleges and technical colleges across the state. The Office of Policy & Strategy works at the front lines of TBR's efforts to develop insights about student success through data, research, and policy analysis.


Through the Office of Policy & Strategy's data and research, TBR is able to turn research findings into actionable information to support postsecondary access and success. This office currently leads a multi-year effort to reimagine the community college experience at four pilot colleges. Additionally, in 2022, the Office of Policy & Strategy launched a multi-year experimental project to study the impact of success coaching practices on students' persistence and academic success. This team also researches postsecondary enrollment trends, dual enrollment, and labor market outcomes for graduates of TBR colleges. The Graduate Research Fellow will have the opportunity to participate in policy research and data analysis related to each of these projects.


The Graduate Research Fellow will also collaborate with Policy & Strategy team members, participate in research projects, and attend systemwide meetings. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to develop skills in policy research (e.g., drafting policy memos, contributing to working research papers, attending legislative sessions), data analysis (e.g., Stata, SQL, PowerBI), and research design (e.g., randomized control trials, causal research design).

Job Duties

• 30% - Conduct data analyses about enrollment and success trends or the impact of system initiatives on student success at TBR colleges - (Essential)


• 40% - Write reports, create presentations, and present research findings for the Policy & Strategy division - (Essential)


• 20% - Attend and assist staff at TBR meetings and events - (Essential)


• 10% - Other duties as assigned. - (Marginal)

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree


Familiarity with data analysis or education policy

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate classes in education policy or data analysis


Experience with policy and research studies


Interest in higher education policy

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Professional, trustworthy, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team.


Proficiency in data analysis or willingness to expand skill set with data analysis software.


Ability to communicate orally and in writing.


Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or related tools.