1. 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, Convention Center, Salon E

2. 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

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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