Coordinating Student Affairs Divisional Assessment

Book excerpt: An ACPA/NASPA Joint Publication The need for the new role of student affairs assessment coordinator has emerged in response to the increasing demand for outcomes information, the proliferation of data, and the recognition that coordinating this work within divisions is of paramount importance. For those taking on this role, this book constitutes a practical guide to leading and implementing an assessment program - whether doing so full- or part-time, as an individual or in a multi-person office, or whether reporting to or being in positional leadership. Recognizing that this function that is new to student affairs, and that those who take it on frequently find themselves in an in-between world, being both embedded with, but also distinct from, their divisional colleagues, this book first addresses the common challenges and issues related to defining and implementing the role and cultivating a culture of assessment. It then deals with the practicalities of creating systems and structures; developing assessment skills throughout the organization; and creating an integrated model for measuring progress towards strategic planning goals, and for informing decision-making and resource allocation. The book concludes with guidance on leading and maintaining ethical standards related to data collection, storage and sharing for the division, and on navigating the dynamic political environment that assessment professionals will encounter.