Data Governance
In an era defined by data-informed decision-making, Ohio University recognizes that data is one of its most valuable institutional assets. Data Governance establishes a shared framework for managing, protecting, and leveraging data as a strategic resource.
Scope
Data governance applies to all institutional data created, collected, managed, or used by academic and administrative units across the university. It defines expectations for stewardship, access, quality, compliance, transparency, and responsible use. It guides operational data management, analytics, and system administration without replacing them.
Why Data Governance?
Strategic Value
- Significant institutional data exists, but insight is uneven
- Leaders lack consistent confident in data used for decisions
- Shared standards and definitions unlock greater institutional value
Institutional Risk
- Regulatory, privacy, and security obligations continue to expand
- Decision rights and controls are applied inconsistently
- Risk grows as data volume, access, and use increase
Agility
- Faster, more confident data-informed decisions
- Timely, responsible adoption of AI
- Smoother ERP modernization and system change
Guiding Principles
These principles describe Ohio University’s commitments and expectations for the responsible and effective use of institutional data.
- We treat data as an institutional asset and act in ways that advance institutional value over local interests.
- We make data available for institutional business needs and restrict access only to meet compliance obligations, protect privacy, or preserve confidentiality.
- We use data responsibly with practices that are explainable, reinforce compliance requirements, and are aligned with institutional values.
- We assign and uphold clear accountability so decision rights for trustees, stewards, custodians, and users are consistently followed.
- We operate with transparency, so definitions, rules, lineage, and decisions are documented and visible.
- We endeavor to enable people to use data well by providing clarity, tools, and skills that support responsible use.
- We ensure quality at the source by defining, validating, and maintaining data where it is created, so it remains accurate and fit for purpose.
Data Governance Structure
Ohio University uses a federated hub and spoke model to govern the use of institutional data.
- The Hub, coordinated by the Office of Information Technology, provides shared frameworks, standards, platforms, and tools that make governance scalable and consistent.
- The Spokes, which represent each data domain, steward data within functional and academic areas, applying institutional standards and resolving issues close to the work.
- The Data Governance Council provides institutional oversight, approves standards, resolves conflicts, and ensures alignment with university priorities.
Roles
- Data Trustees are delegated domain level authority for appropriate use, access rules, purpose, and compliance.
- Functional Leaders ensure business process accuracy and uphold standards within their areas.
- Data Stewards maintain definitions, metadata, quality rules, and apply governance standards in daily work.
- Data Custodians implement technical controls, integrations, storage, and security in alignment with governance.
- Data Consumers use data responsibly and report issues.
Authority and Decision Rights
- Data Trustees make domain level decisions about access, definitions, and quality expectations.
- Data Stewards resolve operational issues and apply standards within their domain.
- The Data Governance Council resolves conflicts, approves institutional standards, and upholds the principles of this charter.
- Executive Sponsors serve as final decision makers for issues with significant institutional impact.
Data Governance Implementation Roadmap
Phases represent areas of emphasis; some activities may occur in parallel. For more detail, review the full Data Governance Implementation Roadmap document (requires OHIO login).
| Phase | Milestones | Outcomes |
| Phase 1: Foundation (0–6 months) | Form the Data Governance Council, define guiding principles, identify data domains and stewards, and inventory existing policies. | Governance structure and charter established. |
| Phase 2: Standards and Stewardship (6–12 months) | Approve data standards, develop metadata and catalog practices, formalize stewardship network, and launch data literacy efforts. | Consistent standards and stewardship practices implemented. |
| Phase 3: Operationalization (12–24 months) | Integrate governance into institutional processes, enable tools for cataloging, lineage, and access, and establish data quality metrics. | Governance practices operationalized and measurable. |
| Phase 4: Maturity and Optimization (24+ months) | Conduct annual reviews, continuous improvement, and expand analytics and data enablement capabilities. | Governance embedded into institutional culture. |
Data Governance Leadership
The advance team members are those leading the initial data governance efforts. As the initiative matures, additional leaders may be added. For more detail on governance structure, review the Data Governance Operating Model document (requires OHIO login).
Data Governance Sponsors – Advance Team
- Donald Leo, Executive Vice President and Provost
- Candace Boeninger, Vice President for Enrollment Management
- Gregory Simmons, Vice President for Ohio University Advancement
- David Moore, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Mary Elizabeth Miles, Vice President of Human Resources
- Chris Ament, Chief Information Officer
- Ed Carter, Senior Director and Chief Information Security Officer
Data Governance Council – Advance Team
- Bob Bulow, Assistant Vice President for Student Information Strategy and University Registrar
- Julie Allison, Associate Vice President, Finance
- Jason Winchell, Senior Director, Business Systems, Student & Faculty Administrative Systems
- Barbara Nalazek, Deputy General Council
- Joshua Gonzalez, Chief Privacy Officer
- Ana Tomas, Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Human Resources
- Loralyn Taylor, Associate Provost for Institutional Research
- Joseph Pauwels, Associate Vice President, Data Analytics and Strategy
- Kari Saunier, Associate Provost for Academic Budget & Planning
- Alicia Porter, Senior Manager and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer