Training and Skill Development Opportunities

Assessment 101: Conducting Meaningful Assessment

Assessment serves numerous purposes from continuous improvement of programs and services to compliance with accreditation standards. In this training workshop, attendees will learn why and how to conduct meaningful assessment in their department, program, or service. Specifically, participants will learn about the assessment cycle; how to create effective mission statements, goals, and outcomes; how to design and align their programs, services, activities, operations, etc. with their mission, goals, and outcomes; how to identify current and new data collection methods and instruments for measuring the extent to which their strategies and activities are achieving their respective outcomes and goals; high level overview of how to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions about their department, programs, services, facilities, operations, etc.; as well as how to report these findings and share their story with a variety of audiences.

Outcomes:

  • Understanding the Assessment Cycle: Master the foundational steps of the assessment cycle to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with university and division vision, mission, and goals.
  • Crafting Effective Mission Statements, Goals, and Outcomes: Learn how to develop clear, actionable mission statements, goals, and outcomes that drive the success of your programs and services.
  • Program Alignment: Discover how to design and align your programs, services, and activities with your mission, goals, and outcomes to maximize their impact and effectiveness.
  • Data Collection: Identify and implement various data collection methods and instruments to accurately measure the success of your strategies and activities.
  • Data Analysis: Gain a high-level understanding of how to analyze and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data, turning insights into actionable decisions for improving programs, services, facilities, and operations.
  • Effective Reporting: Develop skills to effectively report findings and share your success stories with diverse audiences, from campus partners to accreditation bodies, in a compelling and informative manner.

Training Offerings:

   Nov. 4, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | UMC 417

   March 3, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | UMC 247

The Data Whisperer: Translating Numbers into Actions for Continuous Improvement

In this interactive workshop, we delve into the art and science of interpreting data to drive meaningful improvements in student life programs, services, and operations. Designed specifically for professionals in student life, this training will guide participants through the process of making strategic decisions informed by real-world data. Participants will engage with an example data set and through collaborative exercises and insightful discussions, will learn to draw actionable conclusions and develop a clear roadmap for implementing changes that foster continuous improvement. Join us to transform data from mere numbers into a powerful tool for enhancing student experiences and driving institutional success.

Outcomes:

  • Enhanced Data Literacy: Gain a solid understanding of key data concepts and techniques to confidently interpret data sets.
  • Actionable Insights: Learn how to extract valuable insights from data analysis, enabling you to make informed decisions that positively impact students and staff.
  • Strategic Decision-Making: Develop skills to determine whether to stop, start, or continue specific initiatives based on data-informed findings.
  • Practical Application: Apply your new skills to a real-life example data set, practicing the interpretation and decision-making process in a supportive, hands-on environment.
  • Continuous Improvement: Discover strategies for fostering a culture of continuous improvement within your institution by effectively using data to guide and refine student services.

Training Offerings:

   Dates spring 2026 coming soon