The Critical Role Student Affairs Can Play in Institutional Assessment Initiatives Jennifer McLean, Associate Dean for Student Affairs Mary Jo Saxe, Associate Professor/Chair of Quality Through Assessment Elliott Strickland, Vice President for Student Affairs Pennsylvania College of Technology Monday, March 5, 2018 Convention Center, Salon E

Today’s outcomes Participants will use systems thinking to identify opportunities for collaboration in assessment between academic and student affairs Participants will evaluate the conditions within their own institutions related to their readiness to embark on collaboration in assessment, including internal barriers and potential champions of the effort Participants will identify key staff to provide representation in collaborative assessment projects at their own campuses Jen

Penn College as a case study Public, baccalaureate-granting institution Special mission affiliate of Penn State Approx. 5500 students, mostly from PA and the Northeast 100+ majors Focus on applied technologies and hands on learning Regionally accredited through MSCHE Jen

Seamless, consistent, well-aligned Philosophy of collaboration in assessment Systems Theory Seamless, consistent, well-aligned Mutual support of academic mission Shared commitment to a culture of assessment across the institution Commitment to seamless student experiences Jen

How we collaborate for assessment As assessment is ongoing, so too is our collaboration. Quality Through Assessment Committee Regional Accreditation Core Curriculum Committees Elliott

Quality Through Assessment (QTA) Formed following 2002 decennial MSCHE visit Oversight of institutional assessment activities Supervision of implementation of recommendations stemming from self-study and decennial review Faculty-led Membership from across the campus Facilitating collaboration in improving the student learning experience and institutional effectiveness Mary Jo and Jen

Regional accreditation processes Student Affairs Representation on: Decennial Steering Committee and Work Groups Core Curriculum Assessment Committee Periodic Review Report Committee Supporting Accreditation Beyond the Visits and Reports Participating in training and professional development Supporting efforts to address recommendations Participation in related accreditation and assessment efforts Providing evidence to show compliance with the standards Mary Jo and Jen

Core Curriculum Committees Three committees over time: Assessment, Review, Implementation Established as a follow-up to a 2012 self-study recommendation Review and assess existing institutional core goals for two cycles Recommend appropriate changes Implement changes Faculty-led Membership from across the campus Mary Jo and Jen

Lessons learned and recommendations Establish your own assessment practices and share them widely Earn your seat at the table Identify internal opportunities; locate champions to help demonstrate your value Build relationships through shared assessment Keep your seat at the table Show up, be prepared, show your worth Ask questions, challenge narrow perspectives Educate AA colleagues about student learning and development beyond the classroom Support the assessment efforts of colleagues across campus Elliott

Collaborating for assessment – Getting started How well-established are your own assessment practices? What assessment practices can you showcase? What is your existing relationship with Academic Affairs? Who are your likely champions? What support/buy in do you need from ‘the top’? What is likely to improve through your collaboration? What can you offer? Elliott

Thank you for joining us today! Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference. See you in Los Angeles in 2019!