MIDAS

Mason Insight: Data to Analytics Solutions

What is MIDAS?

MIDAS is a multi-year, institution-wide initiative to create generational change at George Mason University that will position the university to be an aspirational peer for data management. By improving access, security, and data quality, the MIDAS project seeks to establish a comprehensive data repository, empowering informed decision-making and advancing George Mason’s business intelligence capabilities. 

Purpose: Institutional data is a university asset. Gathered and stewarded by a variety of functional orientated offices, the data itself is owned by the institution for the benefit and study of all and used for various purposes, e.g. to improve performance, to assess progress in strategic goals, to respond to external bodies in the form of mandatory reporting, etc. While the absence of strong data governance compromises George Mason’s ability to meet these objectives, the establishment of strong data governance, aligned with best practice and adapted to George Mason culture and operational needs, will enhance collection, reliability, validity, literacy, and enable a wide range of end-users to build reports and analyses with confidence. 

Vision: A campus data environment where end-users make informed operational, tactical and strategic decisions and are knowledgeable about how to use data responsibly.

Mission: Promote data governance and data literacy by ensuring that George Mason’s data are valid and reliable, clearly defined and understood, and accessible as appropriate based on legitimate business needs

Goals

• Establish a culture of institutional data as a university asset stewarded for the benefit of all.
• Champion data literacy and good practice.
• Draft and approve data policies and procedures.
• Create processes for new data collections as identified.
• Ensure that data policies align with record retention policies.
• Assign responsibility and accountability to groups and/or individuals for:
  • Processes to improve / ensure valid and reliable data collection and maintenance.
  • Productive engagement in the creation of data element definitions and appropriate use.
    • Document data currently collected and align definitions as needed to official reporting requirements. E.g. IPEDS
    • Create additional data elements with definitions for operational needs as appropriate. E.g. 1^st Generation Internal Mason
  • Ensure access and use in a secure environment.

Program Objectives

1. Create a Common Request Portal
2. Improve Data Quality
3. Clear Security and Access Protocols
4. Identify and Incorporate New Data Elements
5. Enhance and Codify the Visualization and Reporting Toolbox
6. Build End-User Friendly and Focused Data Dictionary
7. Create a Common Well

Executive Sponsors

• Gesele Durham, Vice Provost, Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning
• Charmaine Madison, Vice President and CIO, Information and Technology Services

Program Planning Documents

MIDAS Program Charter DRAFT 11November2025

Data Governance Glossary DRAFT 11November2025

Student Data Pilot 11November2025

Data Domains DRAFT 11November2025

MIDAS Executive Leadership Presentation July 2024

 

Questions about MIDAS? Contact us at [email protected]. 

• * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.