HFC welcomes Dr. Laura Willman, dedicated to making positive changes through research

Dr. Laura Willman says that she knew early in her studies that she loved research.

She joined HFC in June to help support student success and data-driven decision making. She works in Institutional Research and Business Intelligence as a research analyst. Some of her duties include:

• Conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
• Performing predictive analysis, which focuses on the student experience and student outcomes like retention, completion, and success.
• Conducting environmental scans to identify and forecast factors that impact the College’s strategic direction.

Willman reports to HFC Interim Director of IRBI Eileen Brennan.

“We are very excited to have Laura join us in Institutional Research,” said Brennan. “She brings another research perspective and set of research skills from her recent graduate studies and experience in higher education. When Laura joined us, she explained that when she first learned about institutional research, she knew that it was the career for her.”

Applied research is her first love

The youngest of two daughters and a first-generation college student, Willman was born in Indianapolis. She has lived in Michigan since 2018.

“I knew I wanted to stay in Michigan. I like it here. I built my professional career here,” said Willman.

A graduate of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Willman went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Xavier University in Cincinnati. From there, she earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees in applied experimental psychology from Central Michigan University. During her time at CMU, Willman was a teaching assistant who taught for six semesters.

“I love student contact,” said Willman. “Teaching is something I plan to keep doing.”

And she loves research more.

“I took a psychology class in high school and became interested in it. I wanted to help people learn more about themselves and work on larger, impactful issues,” she said. “I’m interested in applied research in the psychology field and not the clinical side. I want to do meaningful, impactful research and use my skills as a researcher to bring about positive change.”

Built for institutional research at a welcoming institution

Willman became interested in institutional research while pursuing her Ph.D. at CMU. One of her mentors, CMU Assistant Director of Academic Planning & Analysis Dr. Amanda Scherr, encouraged her to go into institutional research.

“When I told Dr. Scherr my goals, she told me, ‘You’re built for institutional research,’” recalled Willman. “I fell in love with institutional research and pursued it.”

After learning about an opening in IRBI at HFC, Willman was excited to apply.

“I heard great things about the College and its reputation as a great school. That’s what brought me here,” she said. “The people here – in and out of my department – have very been very supportive and so incredibly nice. I feel very welcomed here.”

“My favorite part of being a team is being able to find people who build on the team’s capacities,” said fellow HFC Research Analyst Bridget Smith-Botos. “Laura’s academic background in psychology and quantitative research are a wonderful addition to our team.”