IRADS Staff Bios — Office of Academic Planning & Accountability

Becky Patterson is the Executive Director & Lead Statistician for the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). Since joining UofL in June 2006, Becky has progressed through roles including IR Analyst II, Senior IR Analyst, Assistant Director, and Director. In her current position, she leads the office in developing comprehensive data analytics and decision support systems, with a particular focus on designing and implementing advanced data visualizations. Becky’s expertise in analytics is instrumental in enhancing the university's data-driven decision-making processes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Spalding University and a Master of Science in Biostatistics and Decision Science from the University of Louisville. Known for her unwavering commitment to accuracy and consistency, Becky was honored as Supervisor of the Year by UofL in 2019.

Erika Ruffin is the Associate Director & Statistician for the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). Since joining UofL in January 2010, Erika has held positions as IR Analyst I, IR Analyst II, Senior IR Analyst, and Assistant Director before advancing to her current role. As Associate Director, Erika co-leads the analysis for faculty and staff reporting and performance funding reporting, supervises a team of analysts, and oversees their professional development, ensuring the accuracy and quality of their work. Her areas of focus include federal and state reporting, statistical analyses, managing ad-hoc data requests, and spearheading the development and deployment of data visualizations across IRADS. Erika brings a wealth of knowledge with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from James Madison University, a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences/Statistics from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Education in Research, Statistics, and Evaluation from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Liberty University.

Lisa Horn is the Associate Director, Strategic Planning & Operations, for the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). She joined UofL in September 1999 in the Office of Planning and Budget. In her role as Associate Director, Lisa leads the analysis of benchmark data, strategic planning, and performance reporting. She serves as the project manager for the university's online catalog system, where she is responsible for reconciling over 1,500 pages of policies, curriculum, course descriptions, and academic program requirements in collaboration with each academic and administrative unit. Additionally, she co-leads the administration of the university’s course evaluations. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance and an MBA, both earned at the University of Louisville.

Steve Fry is an Assistant Director in the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). He joined UofL in February 2017 and serves as the lead analyst for enrollment reporting, graduation, and retention. Steve manages a diverse portfolio, handling requests such as local and national surveys, federal and state reporting, ad-hoc requests, and senior-level analyses. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and a Bachelor of Science in Informatics from Indiana University, and a Master of Science in Health Data Analytics from the University of Louisville, enhancing his analytical skills in data-driven decision-making contexts. Additionally, he holds a diploma in Arabic from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Steve actively contributes to the development and deployment of data visualizations within IRADS, leveraging visual analytics to enhance understanding and communication of complex data insights.

Shari Barrow is the Projects & Logistics Coordinator for the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). She joined UofL in August 2000 and transitioned to the staff of IRADS in December 2007. In her role, Shari serves as the primary point of contact for managing all data requests and project queues within the office. She plays a key role as co-lead in the administration of the university’s course evaluations and provides essential support to the university community in utilizing Blue Survey, the university’s survey assessment software. Shari brings extensive experience in logistics and project coordination, ensuring efficient operations and support for IRADS initiatives.

Katie Bixby
is a Senior Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). She joined UofL in January 2010 and transitioned to IRADS in October 2019. Katie serves as the lead analyst on enrollment reporting, playing a pivotal role in monitoring and analyzing student enrollment trends and data. Her expertise also encompasses managing local and national surveys, federal and state reporting, ad-hoc data requests, and conducting senior-level analyses, including data visualizations. Katie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services (College Student Personnel) from the University of Louisville. Her robust background in data analysis and institutional research contributes to IRADS’ mission of providing valuable insights for strategic decision-making at UofL.

Linda Hou is a Senior Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). She joined UofL in January 2006 as an IR Analyst I. Linda is the lead analyst for financial aid, retention, NCAA, NSF/NIH Survey and senior-level analyses. Linda holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Fuzhou University in China and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisville.

Justin Johnson is a Senior Institutional Research Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support (IRADS) at the University of Louisville (UofL). Justin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Louisville. He serves as the co-lead of CardSmart, UofL's student success platform, focusing on analyzing student success initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes. Justin also oversees the NSF-NIH Survey, ranking surveys, and benchmark publications, providing valuable insights into UofL’s institutional performance and effectiveness. His analytical expertise supports data-driven decision-making and strategic initiatives within IRADS at UofL, including the development and deployment of interactive data visualizations to effectively communicate complex data insights across the university community.