102 Tillman Hall; E-mail Us
Dr. Noreen Gaubatz, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness & SACSCOC Liaison
Location: 102 Tillman
Telephone: 803/323-3707
Noreen coordinates and integrates institutional functions related to outcomes assessment, regional/specialized accreditation, program/unit review, institutional research, and strategic planning. As SACSCOC liaison, she assists the institution in remaining compliant with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) expectations. Prior to joining Winthrop University in 2016, Noreen served as the Vice President of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness and SACSCOC liaison at Birmingham Southern College, Alabama, and as Assistant Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at Syracuse University, New York. Her teaching experience spans graduate, undergraduate, degree completion, distance education, and high school across the content areas of higher education administration (administrative principles and practices, the academic program, research methods) and the biological sciences (anatomy, physiology, environment science). Noreen holds a B.S. and M.S. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and is a member of the Association of Institutional Researchers (AIR), Southern Association of Institutional Researchers (SAIR), South Carolina Association for Institutional Research (SCAIR), Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE), and Association for Higher Education Effectiveness (AHEE). Her hobbies include reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Ms. Maria Linn, Director of Institutional Research
Location: 102 Tillman
Telephone: 803/323-3806
Maria, one of three Winthrop alums in the department, was hired as Director of Institutional Research in 2022. She is charged with setting the direction for the Office of IR in its mission to provide accurate institutional data and analyses to support the institution’s overall effectiveness. Maria’s prior experience includes working as a Research Specialist at Rock Hill School District as well as serving in a variety of roles at Winthrop, including Director of Decision Support, Academic Space & Scheduling Coordinator, and Assistant to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Her teaching experience includes WRIT 101 Composition and ACAD 101 Principles of the Learning Academy. Maria holds a B.A. in English and a Master of Liberal Arts degree, is a member of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR), the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR), and the South Carolina Association for Institutional Research (SCAIR) and currently serves as president of Winthrop’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society. Her hobbies include writing, collaging, tennis, and yoga.
Ms. Nancy Scurry, Business Management Analyst
Location: 102 Tillman
Telephone: 803/323-2600, ext 6009
Nancy is a proud Winthrop alum and has worked for her alma mater since 1995. She began her career at Winthrop in the Vice President for Academic Affairs Office and moved to the Office of Institutional Research in 2009. She compiles recurring reports, responds to external publication surveys, fulfills ad hoc data requests, ensures data accuracy and integrity, and manages the Office of Institutional Research’s budget, personnel, and travel processes. Her current title is Budget, Personnel and Business Analyst. Nancy’s prior experience in higher education includes working in career services, housing and financial aid at Belmont Abbey College and York Technical College, respectively. Nancy holds a B.A. in Mass Communication and is a member of the South Carolina Association of Institutional Researchers (SCAIR). Nancy's hobbies include reading, spending time outdoors and enjoying time with her husband, Grant (also a Winthrop alum and employee), and their rescue mix, Xena.
Ms. Kelly Scott, Research Analyst
Location: 102 Tillman
Telephone: 803/323-4857
Kelly is a proud Winthrop alum and has worked in the Office of Institutional Research as a part-time staff member since 2009, with different titles and roles throughout those years. She serves as the institution’s IPEDS key holder, assists with state and other compliance reporting, develops data visualizations, maintains the department’s website, and manages institutional databases related to faculty credentials and assessment. Her current title is Research Analyst. Kelly holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing option), is a member of the South Carolina Association of Institutional Researchers (SCAIR) and serves on Winthrop’s Staff Community and Campus Involvement Committee. Her hobbies include reading for enjoyment, outdoor activities with her husband and three children, and serving in a leadership role at her daughter’s high school on the School Improvement Council.
Dr. Zach Abernathy, Educational Data Scientist and Associate Professor of Mathematics
Location: 161 Bancroft Hall
Telephone: 803/323-4605
Zach joined Winthrop in 2011 as a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics. Since 2020 he has additionally worked in the Office of Institutional Research as an Educational Data Scientist, where he conducts ad hoc research analyses on a variety of topics of importance to the University. Recent topics have included creating a predictive model for recruitment, forecasting models to assist with strategic plan target setting, and conducting a pilot viability index study for departmental program health metrics. Zach holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics, an M.S. in Mathematics, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics, is a member of the Mathematical Association of America, and serves as the program director for Winthrop’s B.A. in Data Science degree program. His hobbies include piano, physical fitness, game design, data science consulting, and spending quality time with his wife and three children.
