Assessment & Planning

The Office of Assessment and Planning works closely with staff in the Division of Student Affairs to support assessment planning and practice. Assessment consultations can be team-based work on specific initiatives within or across units, as well as individual staff members working on behalf of their units.

Your consultant will seek a comprehensive understanding of your assessment needs, asking questions such as:

• What are the key questions you want to answer?
• How would you be able to act upon what you learn from this assessment project?
• What data, if any, do you already have available about this program or service?
• How does this project align with your unit’s mission, goals, and outcomes?

Consultants then provide recommendations, offer technical and content expertise, assist with data collection and analysis, and offer additional services to support the specific project and unit. 

The Office of Assessment & Planning (OAP) has created a program that is comprised of nine essential components for conducting assessment in SA higher education. Each component includes a training provided by OAP, a quiz to demonstrate knowledge and an application requirement. Together, these pieces are known as the Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Analytics Boards (AEDA Boards).

Upon successful completion of each component, the participant will receive an AEDA Board certificate. The certificate will designate to the Division that the individual is capable of carrying out assessment with minimal support from OAP, and their findings should be considered accurate. 

Who it's for: Student Affairs staff who would like to increase skills and competence around data and assessment.

Training Dates: July 9 and 10

Learn more and register

Assessment Cycle ​| Thursday, Feb. 11 | 11.a.m. - 12 p.m. 
This training is an introduction to the assessment cycle. It will provide an overview of the cycle, and tips for overcoming barriers. We will also provide several examples of program mapping, and opportunities for mapping a program.

Conducting Effective Focus Groups | Thursday, Feb. 18 | 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. 
In this training, you will learn how to develop and effectively conduct focus groups with students. You will also learn skills for analysis and reporting.

Speed Analysis: Tips and Tricks for Analyzing Data Quickly​ | Thursday, Feb. 25 | 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. 
Being able to analyze data quickly is critical skill for all SA professionals. It will cover a variety of common data collection techniques and tools that can be accessed by all division staff.

Data Storytelling​ | Thursday, March 11 | 11.a.m. - 12 p.m. 
It has become a common refrain in the Division to say 'we want to tell our story?' There are many strategies to tell a compelling story. However, data is and the meaningful interpretation of information is critical. In this training, we will focus on building a story using data points and packaging that information into a memorable way.

Data Storytelling​ | Thursday, May 13 | 9.a.m. - 10 a.m. 
It has become a common refrain in the Division to say 'we want to tell our story?' There are many strategies to tell a compelling story. However, data is and the meaningful interpretation of information is critical. In this training, we will focus on building a story using data points and packaging that information into a memorable way.

Data Crossroad Discussions
The Office of Assessment and Planning will be hosting monthly informal conversations about data collected across the university and in the division. These conversations will feature data sets that bring to the forefront interesting combinations that inspire discovery and meaning making. We will rely on participants to bring their perspectives and engage in these conversations. The general topic has been selected for each discussion, but is subject to change. Participants will be notified of changes.

• Student Efficacy & Willpower | Wednesday, Feb. 3 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Student Attrition at Events & Appointments | Tuesday, March 23 | 11 a.m. -12 p.m. 
• Measuring Student Development | Wednesday, March 31 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Peer Influence | Tuesday, April 6 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Microsoft Excel Series
The Office of Assessment and Planning will be hosting a handful of excel trainings to build your skills. We do recommend you attend these trainings in the sequence as they build on each other; however, you are welcome to attend those that meet your needs.

• Data Cleaning in Excel | Thursday, March 18 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
• Introduction to Handy Formulas in Excel | Thursday, March 25 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Introduction to Simple Macros in Excel | Thursday, April 15 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
• Creating a Dashboard in Excel Using Vlookup and Simple Macros | Thursday, April 22 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Introduction to Excel Pivot Table | Thursday, April 29 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. 

Qualtrics User Group
The Office of Assessment and Planning is offering an opportunity to receive regular updates about Qualtrics, and to discuss the multiple uses of this tool. This twice a semester opportunity will be structured with updates at the beginning and use case discussions to follow. Lasting for 50 minutes, we will be fast moving and open to all folks who use Qualtrics. Feel free to join any or all meetings as the contents being shared will change.

• Friday, Feb. 19 | 1 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.
• Friday, April 16 1 p.m. -1:50 p.m.

Sign up for an assessment training