2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Assessing Student Affairs’ Contributions to General Education Learning Outcomes Mike Cairns - Associate VP of Student Affairs Fred Heck - Geology Professor & General Education Coordinator Kristen Salomonson - Dean of Enrollment Services

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Ferris State University is located in Northern Lower Michigan in Big Rapids. It is approximately three hours from Detroit and four hours from Chicago. Big Rapids

Some Facts About Ferris State University 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Some Facts About Ferris State University A Public University founded in 1884 Current Enrollment is 14,381 students Main Campus in Big Rapids + 17 Other Locations in MI Approximately 180 degree programs including Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional Doctorates and an Ed.D. Largest College is Allied Health Sciences 15 to 1 Faculty-Student Ratio Average Freshman ACT = 21.4/HSGPA = 3.19

General Education: A Definition 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 General Education: A Definition The part of a [university] curriculum shared by all students. It provides broad exposure to multiple disciplines and forms the basis for developing important intellectual and civic capacities. Association of American Colleges and Universities

Newly Adopted General Education Philosophy Statement at Ferris 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Newly Adopted General Education Philosophy Statement at Ferris General Education at Ferris State University challenges students to be successful citizens of a diverse and globalized world.

Newly Proposed Student Learning Outcomes 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Newly Proposed Student Learning Outcomes “Campus-Wide” outcomes vs. “General Education” outcomes. Recognizes that learning happens across the full curriculum AND co-curriculum. The LEAP model provides our organizing framework. Knowledge Skills Responsibilities Integration

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Natural World Focused by engagement with big questions, both contemporary and enduring   Graduates of Ferris State University should know: …how all cultures, past or present, are fundamentally similar to each other, and why it is important to understand cultural differences. …how their lives are shaped by the society and place in which they live. …how scientists come to an understanding of the natural world and why a scientific understanding of the natural world is important.  …how technology shapes their world.

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Intellectual and Practical Skills Practiced extensively, across the curriculum, in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects, and standards for performance   Graduates of Ferris State University should be able to:  …identify, access, and use information effectively. …critically evaluate information using appropriate reasoning skills. …interpret and use quantitative information together with the qualitative to understand and effectively solve real-life problems. …think and act creatively in problem solving. …communicate effectively with others in both the personal and professional spheres of life. …function effectively as a member of a team. …make informed decisions in the use and management of financial resources.

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Personal and Social Responsibility Anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges   Graduates of Ferris State University should understand the value of: …participating in the civic life of their communities. …inclusion, empathy and positive engagement in their interactions with diverse others. …considering issues through well established ethical and moral traditions. …continuing to learn for personal and professional growth. …making informed lifestyle choices.

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Integrative Learning Demonstrated through the application of knowledge, skills, and responsibilities to new settings and complex problems. Finally, graduates of Ferris State University should be able to: …integrate what they have learned inside and outside of the classroom.

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Campus-Wide Learning Outcomes provide the foundation for finding, developing and assessing the links between General Education and co-curricular experiences in Student Affairs. This is the collaboration that is now underway at Ferris as part of our General Education revision.

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 How do you support, encourage, and assess student learning that occurs as a result of Student Affairs activities, programs, and services? What are you doing to partner with Student Affairs? If you are in Student Affairs, are you assessing learning in a way that directly links with your General Education Outcomes?

Overview of SLOs in Student Affairs 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Overview of SLOs in Student Affairs Our Culture of Assessment Helping Students Know What They’ve Learned The Connection to Ferris State’s General Education Outcomes Examples of What We’ve Collected and How We’ve Reported the Results

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 “Good assessment is based fundamentally on collaboration among colleagues. And since student learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom, some of the most interesting and intellectually exciting work in assessment involves collaboration among faculty and student affairs professionals.” - Trudy Banta

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Student Affairs Academic Affairs

Student Affairs Educators 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Student Affairs Educators We have come to realize that we have a lot to offer – and we want to help students learn We are intentionally tying our efforts to General Education Goals

Learning is Our Focus Focus less on student satisfaction and more on 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Learning is Our Focus Focus less on student satisfaction and more on student learning We encouraged our departments to re-think their essential function and purpose

Students would say … “We’re not learning anything.” Oh, really? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Students would say … “We’re not learning anything.” Oh, really? We had to help students recognize and become aware of what they were learning outside the classroom. They undervalued it.

“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” Students need language to define and articulate what they have learned We were not always aware either We had to make student learning more explicit

Did you… Solve problems Manage time Work for and with others 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Did you… Solve problems Manage time Work for and with others Resolve arguments and conflict Make decision independently Manage emotions Maintain a positive attitude Accept feedback from supervisors

Did you learn about… Leadership Teamwork and problem solving 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Did you learn about… Leadership Teamwork and problem solving Ethical reasoning and action Creative thinking Customer service Communication/Persuasion skills

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Did you learn about… Intercultural competence – working within a diverse workplace Information literacy Capacity to adapt knowledge, skills and responsibilities Interpersonal communication and effective social interactions

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Epiphany… The knowledge and skills students are acquiring from their participation in student affairs resembled the General Education Outcomes. Why not tie them together with Student Affairs Learning Outcomes?

Where Exactly are Students Learning in Student Affairs? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Where Exactly are Students Learning in Student Affairs? We anticipate learning to occur in… Student Employees in our Departments Student Leaders Students Attending our Programs Students Serviced in our Departments

Example: Student Employee Survey 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Example: Student Employee Survey A Division-wide Survey given to all Student Employees to assess their progress on SLOs Developed specifically from our existing General Education Outcomes Communicates to our student employees that we intentionally are helping them learn This instrument is actually a teaching and learning tool

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Survey Contents 32 questions with 4-point scales and 3 open-ended questions. A web-delivered survey that takes about 10 minutes to complete. Administered each semester (Fall & Spring)

To appreciate cultural and ethnic differences 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 To appreciate cultural and ethnic differences To develop relationships with different racial and ethnic backgrounds To make decisions by identifying and considering options To develop problem-solving skills To speak effectively with individuals face-to-face To draw conclusions after weighing evidence, facts, and options To resolve conflicts To manage my time effectively To work effectively and collaboratively with others.

How Much do Students Learn from Work? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 To speak effectively with individuals face-to-face 76% of Respondents reported learning “Quite a Bit” or “An Extreme Amount” from their employment experience How Much do Students Learn from Work? To Make Decisions by Indentifying and Considering Options 75% of Respondents reported learning “Quite a Bit” or “An Extreme Amount” from their employment experience

How Much do Students Learn from Work? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 To write effectively 29% of Respondents reported learning “Quite a Bit” or “An Extreme Amount” from their employment experience How Much do Students Learn from Work? To work effectively and cooperatively with others 80% of Respondents reported learning “Quite a Bit” or “An Extreme Amount” from their employment experience

How Much do Students Learn from Work? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 I get along better with others 96% of Respondents indicated they “Somewhat Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” I am able to accomplish things efficiently 96% of Respondents indicated they “Somewhat Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” How Much do Students Learn from Work?

How Much do Students Learn from Work? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 I am able to make decisions effectively 97% of Respondents indicated they “Somewhat Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” How Much do Students Learn from Work? I feel better about myself 95% of Respondents indicated they “Somewhat Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed”

“Teamwork is the most important step in getting things accomplished.” 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 “Teamwork is the most important step in getting things accomplished.” “I’ve learned strong communication skills as well as how to make stronger decisions. I’ve developed courage and self-confidence.”

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 “How to do budgets, manage a staff, better interact with people, and to organize events.” “How to work with people who have different personalities than myself. I have learned to become a more dependable and reliable person.

2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Example: Orientation After each training session leaders are asked what they’ve learned about... Diversity Communication Customer Service Problem-Solving

What did leaders learn from their participation in Orientation? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 What did leaders learn from their participation in Orientation? “I learned to better assist people and interact with people in a respectful and understanding manner.” “How everyone comes from different places and how different their views are.”

Example: Student Leadership & Activities 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Example: Student Leadership & Activities Intentional, purposeful student employee training exercises OrgSync – new Co-Curricular Transcript Software

Example: Personal Counseling Center 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Example: Personal Counseling Center Social Norming Campaign - Project for Senior-level Marketing and Graphic Design Students

Example: Multicultural Student Services 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Example: Multicultural Student Services Tunnel of Oppression Imagine More Bus Tour Black History Month Presentations & Events Women’s History Month Presentations & Events Hispanic History Month Presentations & Events

Example: Career Services 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Example: Career Services Specific learning objectives linked to the Student Leadership Conference Learning how work works

Documentation of SLO Assessment for Student Affairs Division 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Documentation of SLO Assessment for Student Affairs Division Assessment Highlights Report By trying to chronicle what we do, we improved our own awareness By engaging in the process we rediscovered the power of intention We ask 4 basic questions

Four Questions… WHAT are you Assessing? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Four Questions… WHAT are you Assessing? SO WHAT did students learn as a result of their participation? NOW WHAT changes or improvements will you make as a result of the assessment? WHAT’S NEXT in terms of your future assessment?

Student Affairs HLC Evidence List 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 Student Affairs HLC Evidence List The fact that Student Affairs is so into student learning can be a revelation to some folks. Even our folks. “I had no idea WE were doing so much with Student Learning!”

What are two things you learned from today’s session? 2011 AAC&U Conference General Education and Assessment 3.0 What are two things you learned from today’s session? When you return to your campus what will your next step be in terms of Student Learning Outcomes and Student Affairs? What is one question we didn’t answer today?