Synopses & Reviews
From the EditorAs demands for accountability escalate, assessment continues to evolve
as a central aspect of student aff airs administration. Experience clearly
indicates that without a robust portfolio of assessment activities, the
services, programs, and activities of a student affairs division are at risk
of being reassigned to other organizational units on campus—or, in
a tight budgetary environment, being eliminated. This sourcebook is
designed to complement existing literature by reminding student affairs
educators of the importance of developing an assessment program and
by exploring topics that will add depth and richness to such a program.
The authors address topics ranging in breadth from specific metrics
to strategies for developing collaborative activities involving academic
and student affairs. They show how to integrate valuable resources
into the assessment process and how to use that process to enhance
the student experience, and they take the largest view, offering advice
on developing an institutional culture of assessment. Finally, their
collective experience and wisdom is brought to bear on planning future
actions that will best serve students during their collegiate years.
Table of Contents
EDITOR’S NOTES 1
John H. Schuh1. Challenges of Assessment in Student Affairs 5
Gregory S. Blimling
How student affairs professionals can develop comprehensive assessment programs in the current climate of accountability is presented in this chapter.
2. The Role of the Assessment Coordinator in a Division of Student Affairs 15
Carolyn H. Livingston, Jonathan D. Zerulik
The emerging role of assessment coordinators in student affairs divisions is described in this chapter.
3. Using the CAS Standards in Assessment Projects 25
Laura A. Dean
This chapter presents an overview of the use of professional standards of practice in assessment and outlines a model for conducting program self-studies.
4. From Classroom to Practice: A Partnership Approach to Assessment 35
J. Patrick Biddix
A model for bridging graduate assessment course work and divisional student affairs assessment efforts is provided along with considerations for implementation.
5. Collaborating on Assessment of the Undergraduate Student Experience 49
Melissa S. Shivers, Sally J. McMillan
This chapter describes selected collaborative assessment initiatives involving academic and student affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
6. How Assessment Can Advance Efforts to Enhance Undergraduate Student Persistence 61
Ann M. Gansemer-Topf
Despite the significant amount of research related to student persistence, institutions must develop and implement assessment practices that account for their unique mission and purpose. This chapter describes the role of assessment in enhancing persistence.
7. Developing and Using Dashboard Indicators in Student Affairs Assessment 71
Joshua J. Mitchell, Andrew J. Ryder
This chapter presents the use of dashboards in student affairs, including examples of key indicators and considerations for developing and implementing these tools.
8. Measuring the Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) at The Ohio State University 83
Lance C. Kennedy-Phillips, Kellie J. Uhrig
This case study describes the role of assessment in a program for second-year students at The Ohio State University.
9. Developing a Culture of Assessment in Student Affairs 89
John H. Schuh
Elements that contribute to developing a culture of assessment in student affairs are presented.
10. Afterword: Considerations for Future Practice of Assessment and Accountability 99
Marilee J. Bresciani
Ideas and concepts about the future of assessment in student affairs are discussed.
INDEX 107