Institute Overview.

The 2025 Institute is designed as a guided and scaffolded curricular experience. Participants will engage with a variety of facilitators, large and small groups, synchronous and asynchronous learning. This event is designed around the Core outcomes of the CACUSS Research, Assessment & Strategic Planning competencies to provide participants with a strong assessment foundation. It is aimed at student affairs professionals at any experience level looking to acquire foundational knowledge and skills in assessment, and immediately apply it to effectively measure a program, service or resource.

Using both asynchronous and synchronous approaches, the Canadian Student Affairs Assessment Institute (CSAAI) will offer a balance of theory and application designed to ensure practitioners acquire assessment knowledge and skills that will enhance their capacity to assess student learning, development and success, as well as the effectiveness of their programs and services. Central to this learning experience is a commitment to exploring diverse perspectives in assessment approaches, honouring and integrating equity-minded practice, and building a sustainable learning community.

To learn more about the curriculum, 'view sessions' above*. 

*Note: the content by vary slightly from the outlined provided.

Dates : 

Tuesday October 14th and Thursday October 16th

Tuesday October 21st and Thursday October 23rd

Tuesday October 28th and Thursday October 30th 

Time: 

2 hours each day, starting at 10:00am PST / 11:00am MTN / 1:00pm EST / 2:00pm ATL

Pre-work: institute participants will be asked to complete a short 10-20 minute survey prior to October 9. A link will be provided following the registration process.

Member Rate: $499.00 Early bird rate in effect until October 1. $599 after October 2

Non-member Rate: $599.00 Early bird rate in effect until October 1. $699 after October 2

The registration rate is for all six dates listed above. 

Register with a team member and save 10%!  

If two or more people from the same institution register for any CACUSS institute this fall, you can save 10% on all registrations by using coupon code FALLPD_TEAM_25.

Code applies to the Canadian Institute for Mid-Career Student Affairs Leaders, New Professionals Institute, Canadian Student Affairs Assessment Institute, Accessible Learning Professionals Institute, Student Conduct Institute. Two or more can register for the same or different institutes and apply the 10% off coupon code at checkout. Coupon code can not be used retroactively. Code is valid until October 10.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing (via email) 1 week (7 days) prior to the event. No refunds will be issued if the request is received less than one week before the event. Cancellations received prior to 1 week of the event will receive a refund minus an administration fee. Administration fee for cancellation is $40. In extenuating circumstances, event registrations can be transferred to another delegate. Registration could be transferred to another delegate with a $20 administration fee. 

Meet the Facilitation Team

Jonathan Davis (he/him) is the Research and Assessment Analyst in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Toronto Mississauga. His work focuses on the evaluation of co-curricular programs and services that support undergraduate student success and development. He leads the design and implementation of assessment projects that examine student engagement, learning outcomes, and program effectiveness across a range of student services. Jonathan has 6+ of years of experience leading co-curricular assessment in higher education and holds a Master of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, with graduate-level training in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Atifa F. Karim (she/her) is a lifelong learner, educator and optimist who aims to create empowering and transformational learning experiences, and spaces. Having worked across a variety of functional areas in student affairs, Atifa brings a systems-thinking and collaborative approach to curriculum design and assessment, including a nuanced understanding of the integration of student and academic affairs, and a keen focus on engaging students as partners in curriculum design and assessment. She has been involved in the development and delivery of several CACUSS learning experiences, including in her roles as a 2019 ACPA/CACUSS Assessment Institute Curriculum Co-Chair and faculty member. Atifa holds Honours Bachelor degrees in Environmental Studies, and Education from York University, and a Master of Education in Higher Education and Educational Policy from the University of Toronto. Atifa is also the recipient of the University of Toronto’s 2022 Jill Matus Excellence in Student Services Award for her exemplary leadership in student affaris, curriculum design, and assessment.

Shari Walsh (she/her) has over 15 years of experience in higher education focusing on people management, learning and development, strengths-based approaches and curriculum design. Demonstrated throughout her career as a leader in student affairs and professor, Shari strives to ensure all learning and productivity spaces are focused on not only meeting the needs of their learners but creating opportunities for learners to thrive. Shari developed her curriculum design and assessment acumen across a variety of functional areas in student affairs, as well as, in both the college and university system across Canada and internationally. Highly involved in CACUSS, Shari has led the CACUSS Leadership Educators Community of Practice as a co-chair, contributed to the Program Committee, been a member of the CACUSS Board of Directors, and facilitated the Strengths Institute (2021) and Supervisory Institute (2023) as a faculty member. Shari is a Certified Integrative Coach (CIC) and Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP), and she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Trent University and a Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University.

Sara Wills McLinden (she/her)has worked as an educator in academic and student affairs program design and assessment for over 14 years, spanning 5 colleges and 4 universities. She currently serves as a college professor, leveraging her program-, department-, and division level student affairs curriculum design and assessment experience across multiple functional areas to support with the development, revision, assessment and delivery of impactful and equity-centred student learning experiences. Sara holds a deep belief in the value of intentional co-curriculum design, strengths-based approaches, and assessment practice in enhancing the student experience and cultivating authentic relationships with students and colleagues. Sara has facilitated numerous national and international professional development experiences, previously serving as faculty for the inaugural CACUSS Canadian Assessment Institute, the Strengths Institute and the Supervisory Institute.  She has also served as a co-chair for the CACUSS Research, Assessment and Evaluation Community of Practice, as well as in the roles of Curriculum Co-Chair, Junior Chair, Senior Chair, and faculty member for the ACPA Student Affairs Assessment Institute. Sara continues to serve as a guest speaker, workshop facilitator and consultant on curriculum design, strengths-based approaches, and assessment frameworks. Sara holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Lakehead University and a Master of Education in Post-Secondary Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, in addition to credentials in positive psychology, learning theory, transformative program evaluation, career and academic advising, and coaching.

Featured Panelists

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring our Senior Student Affairs Officers as they delve into “Assessment in Action.” This conversation will highlight strategies for integrating assessment with a focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization within the Canadian Student Affairs landscape.

Panelists include:

TBC