Supporting the Assessment Program of the College
"Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development."
Palomba & Banta, Assessment Essentials, 1999;
adapted from Marchese, 1987
The primary purposes of this site are to:
- Provide an overview of the Assessment Program of the College.
- Allow faculty and staff convenient access to resources that they will find usefull as they develop program assessment plans.
- Communicate assessment results at the College-wide and program levels of analysis.
Many and various assessment activities throughout Saint Mary's University are conducted for two primary general purposes: improvement and accountability. The former purpose is the more important; the paramount value of assessment lies in its potential to facilitate improvement of student learning. As such, the OCA assists faculty and staff in the College as they produce and use assessment data in order to improve their programs. With respect to accountability, our assessment processes facilitate institutional responses to increasing demands for evidence of effectiveness and efficiency from various external constituencies and agencies.
Assessment evidence is collected both at the College-wide level and within particular programs because:
- Some desired student outcomes flow directly from the mission and goals of Saint Mary's University and pertain to all students in the College, whereas other desired outcomes pertain specifically to students in particular majors and/or other programs.
- Faculty and administrators need different types of data in order to make essential decisions.
The Office of College Assessment (OCA), which supports the assessment program of the College, facilitates the collection, analysis, and use of evidence of the extent to which our primarily important institutional goals for student learning are being met. We collaborate with faculty, staff, and committees in the College toward the end of expanding and improving program assessment plans and initiatives. The OCA operates under the direction of the Provost and the Academic Dean, and in collaboration with the College Academic Assessment Committee (CAAC).
OFFICE STAFF
Dr. Patrick Barlow
Director of College Asssessment
Saint Mary's Hall, Room 128D
507-457-1469
pbarlow@smumn.edu
Responsibilities include providing vision for the college assessment program; consulting with individuals and departments on assessment plans; administering, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting college-wide surveys; compiling assessment reports; and assisting with institutional research initiatives.
I have recently joined the college community starting my position in the summer of 2007. I look forward to working with you on assessment activities and to continue the progress that has been made at Saint Mary's over the past few years. It is also important that we work together to envision how our assessment processes may grow over time to better serve the needs of our students, faculty, programs, and departments. I hope to connect with you to discuss your ideas and understand your needs. I will be seeking out opportunities to meet with you and also encourage you to contact me to discuss how we can work together.
See my abbreviated Curriculum Vitae.
Vicki McDonald
Secretary
Saint Mary's Hall, Room 136
507-457-6996
vmcdonal@smumn.edu
Provides secretarial support to OCA; manages survey creation, scanning and basic reporting of data utilizing the assessment software system.
Office of College Assessment
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Mary's Hall, Room 128D
700 Terrace Heights #1468
Winona MN 55987
Phone: 507-457-1469
1-800-635-5987 ext. 1469
Fax: 507-457-6990
|
