The Division of Student Affairs at the University of San Diego “strives to create an inclusive, educational environment which motivates and supports student learning and personal development, serves the University community, and inspires students to make a positive contribution to society.” Assessment enhances our ability to achieve these goals and will be integrated into the work being done across the division. This committee is charged with helping to ensure that assessment work aligns with divisional and institutional goals, supports the Thriving Student Model, is done in accordance with industry best practices, and is actively used to inform program, department, or division decisions. Staff seeking assessment support are encouraged to contact members of this committee.
Structure and Membership
- The Student Affairs Assessment Committee is composed of representatives from across the Division of Student Affairs and is chaired by the associate dean of assessment and research. Members are expected to serve a two-year term which can be extended. The committee may invite individuals that are not actively serving on the committee to attend meetings as relevant topics arise to serve as consultants and/or content experts. When vacancies occur, the active committee members will make recommendations and consult with the appropriate assistant vice president.
- Requests from other staff members in the division wanting to join the committee will be reviewed by the active committee members.
Current Committee Members
| Anne Cass | Student Wellness |
| Myesha Henderson |
Student Life |
| Marie Minnick | Dean of Students
|
| Tim Novara (chair) | Assessment and Research |
| Ruth Santos | Graduate Assistant |
Current Initiatives
- Serve as a liaison between functional areas and the Assessment Committee, sharing assessment initiatives, results, and challenges.
- Create and maintain an assessment toolkit for the Thriving Student Model.
- Recommend assessment training topics that would be most beneficial to the division.
- Review key assessment findings and share with various constituents and decision-makers
Excellence in Assessment Awards
In building a healthy and sustainable culture of assessment, it is important to recognize the good work that is being done by individuals and units within Student Affairs. The SA assessment committee may award an unspecified number of "Excellence in Assessment" awards each year in the following themes:
- Exemplary use of assessment best practices in planning, execution, evaluation, and reporting throughout the year.
- Demonstrated use of the overall assessment cycle
- Followed USD SA assessment guidelines (e.g. use of appropriate systems, went through IRB approval, submitted survey for approval prior to distribution, etc.)
- Completed assessment plan (individual program or unit)
- Adhered to data integrity/privacy principles
- Executed assessment in accordance with plan
- Created a report that clearly communicates results
- Identified actions to be taken as a result of assessment
- Developed an innovative assessment project that can serve as a model for others in the division.
- Assessment project was new, not done in previous years.
- Project can be used as an assessment educational opportunity for others.
- Advanced a culture of assessment in the division.
- Has promoted assessment principles to others in the division
- Has engaged in assessment conversations during workshops/events
- Has shared assessment findings with the rest of the division (e.g. SA newsletters, reports on the assessment website)
Nomination Process and Selection
- Submit a nomination form for an individual (can nominate oneself) or team by May 1.
- SA Assessment Committee members will use a rubric to evaluate submissions.
- Award winners will be recognized by the division at the end of the academic year.