1. Creating a Culture of Assessment In Student Affairs:
An Assessment Certificate Program
Presented by Dr. Gwen Fears and Kathy Jicinsky
2016 Student Affairs Assessment and Research Conference
June 24, 2016

2. Introductions and Session Overview
Presenter introductions and experience working with assessment
Session overview
Session learning outcomes
Context for assessment-related professional development at Miami University
Major components of the Assessment Certificate Program
Lessons learned & future directions
Individual reflection and application
Small group sharing

3. Session Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Understand the components and outcomes of Miami University’s Division of Student Affairs Assessment Certificate Program.
Gain resources about Miami University’s Division of Student Affairs Assessment Certificate Program (i.e. reading lists, session outlines and outcomes, conference schedules, etc.).
Articulate 1-2 assessment-related strategies, ideas, or topics to infuse into professional development.

4. Building a Culture of Assessment: A Historical Perspective
Common sentiments of assessment
Structural changes within Division of Student Affairs
Committee partnerships
Multi-pronged approach
Negoiating balance of breath & depth of impact

5. Overview of Assessment Certificate Program (ACP)
Benchmarking
DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago
University of Southern California
Stony Brook University
Similar program at Miami but on a different topic
Proposal Process
Support and buy-in – divisional and institutional
Funding

6. Overview of Assessment Certificate Program (ACP)
Recruitment
Cohort of 8-12 participants
Various functional areas, staff levels, and ranges of experiences with assessment
Application process
Divisional buy-in and support
Required supervisor support for participation
Value add of Divisional leadership support
Natural partnerships to create and sustain the program

7. Overview of Assessment Certificate Program (ACP)
Learning outcomes:
Participants will build assessment-related capacity and confidence.
Participants will articulate the value and impact of assessment in their professional work.
Participants will demonstrate making data informed decisions.
Mutually beneficial program
Individual
Department
Division

8. Overview of Assessment Certificate Program (ACP)
Program components:
Attendance at assessment-related workshops
Active participation in brownbag lunch sessions with invited speakers
Participation in an assessment-related book reading & discussion series
Collaborate with participants to analyze and report on a larger data set
Membership on a subcommittee of the Divisional Assessment Committee
Completion of a culminating/final assessment project that will positively impact their work, role, and/or department
Submission of a conference program proposal about the final project
Presentation of final project at the Student Affairs Assessment Conference (in January or August)

9. Lessons Learned, Next Steps, & Sustainability
Flexibility is key
Continual modifications and tweaks
Networking and connections across the program
Online learning community
Bringing multiple voices to the table but ensuring time for processing and context
Value in diverse perspectives
Pulse of the Division
Sustainability of the program
Expansion beyond Student Affairs

10. Individual Reflection
What ideas have been presented that are worth exploring on your campus?
Are there other ideas you have or things you have seen work other places?
Is this something you could implement on your campus? Who are the partnerships and people you could involve in the planning and program implementation?
Are there natural partnerships that you could explore and fuel part of the content? How do you leverage others’ expertise?

11. Small Group Conversations & Sharing
What are next steps you can take in the next month?
What are 1-2 strategies, ideas, or topics you could infuse into professional development opportunities at your institution?

12. Thank you for your attendance and participation!
Questions?
Thank you for your attendance and participation!