Senior Director, Institutional Research & Strategic Analytics
San Jose State University
San Jose, California, United States
As a strategic architect at the intersection of high-stakes analytics and institutional transformation, Marco Antonio Cruz brings an extensive career-long dedication to navigating the complex landscape of higher education. He currently leads the Institutional Research & Strategic Analytics team within the Office of the Provost at San José State University, and functions as the chief institutional research and data officer. In this capacity, he has engineered the robust data infrastructure essential for sustaining institutional vitality amidst shifting enrollment trends, a dynamic policy environment, and declining public investment in higher education. Marco Antonio empowers executive leadership with strategic insights and evidence-based frameworks required to navigate the evolving P-20 policy landscape. His work is centered on optimizing the collective benefit of increased degree attainment to amplify the public good, viewing the scaling of higher education graduates as a primary engine for expanding economic mobility, strengthening social capital and civic vitality, and fortifying political engagement in a democratic republic. His influence permeates critical governance bodies, including committees related to strategic planning, strategic enrollment management, student success and WASC Senior College and University (WSCUC) accreditation where he translates raw data into actionable insights and institutional strategies.
Beyond his institutional role, Marco Antonio is a subject matter expert on data-driven leadership, student success, continuous quality improvement, and accreditation. He is an active WSCUC Peer Reviewer as well as the Founder and Lead Faculty for The Advancing Data Value & Insights for Strategic Engagement (ADVISE) Institute—in partnership with the American Association of Colleges & Universities New Leadership Academy—which prepares the next generation of data-literate executives.
Rethinking Switzerland: Bringing Your Holistic Identity to Work
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM East Coast USA Time