While some people don’t have time to engage in lengthy research projects, or simply don’t like collecting data, Dr. Jane Lee Delgado thrives on it.
In fact, she enjoys research so much that she has accumulated fifteen years of experience in evaluation, assessment and organizational development at the executive level. Dr. Delgado’s strong skill set and solid knowledge of statistics has made her the perfect individual for BMCC’s newly appointed Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning.
Delgado will help implement a comprehensive program of assessment designed to meet BMCC’s strategic goals, while engaging in a broad range of research and reporting.
“I do research for a reason—I collect data, analyze data and report data because I care deeply about education,” says Delgado. “These were the things that were motivating me to try to find a college that was compatible with my personal value system.”
Experience in Data Collection
Delgado comes to BMCC directly from The College Board, where she was employed as a research scientist, building organizational capacity for rigorous evaluation and research while garnering knowledge in large-scale data collection and survey development.
She worked at The College Board since 2004, and before that she was the Executive Director of the University of California at Santa Cruz’s Life Lab Science Program.Dr. Delgado earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley and a PhD in Social (Organizational) Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Some of her earlier research included conducting a national Web survey of teachers to research the relationship between state, district and local school policies.
At BMCC, Delgado will report directly to President Pérez and work closely with Senior Vice President, Dr. Sadie Bragg, other vice presidents, deans and faculty members.
Using Research to Find Truth
While pursuing her doctorate, Delgado says the two skills she found most empowering were statistics and research—discovering she could deduce the truth by putting together quantifiable and qualitative information in a way that would give her more assurance about any questions she had.
“My approach to management builds on my personal research and educational background in organizational psychology, as well as years of experience with managing diverse groups in different settings,” she says.
Basically, when it comes to evaluating institutional goals, “I figure out what is working and what isn’t working,” says Delgado, who researched college readiness programs while at The College Board. “I see research as a tool—as a means to an end in helping to improve situations.
“Utilizing data to meet the needs of BMCC, Delgado is pleased that BMCC is very “research-friendly.”
“BMCC understands and respects data,” she says. “BMCC is very far ahead in terms of its goals for strategic planning. That’s what makes it unique and wonderful.”
The Attraction to BMCC
Delgado was attracted to BMCC’s ability to recruit students of various backgrounds, ages and education levels.
“BMCC is a wonderful college that accepts a wide range of students at different levels of academic preparation,” she says, acknowledging that schooling after high school, especially today, is important for job-seekers. “If we’re not the best community college in the U.S., it’s our goal to make it the best.
“Eager to partake in various research and leadership roles at BMCC, she hopes to emphasize research at all levels, not only internally, but by supporting faculty and students as well.
Her long-term strategic focus will contribute to the overall achievement of the college’s strategic priorities.”I think this job is a good fit for me,” she says. “I will definitely learn a lot.”
A Love of New York
Originally from the Midwest, Delgado has lived in New York City for the past four years and enjoys taking in the culture of New York, with strong interests in theatre, museums and music.
“Since moving here, I have become a loyal and enthusiastic New Yorker, fully committed to serving this community,” she says. “Every moment is filled with my love for the city.”
