Developing a Culture of Evidence

10/14/2025 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

In today's dynamic educational landscape, fostering a culture of evidence is pivotal for assessing student learning and success, investing in continuous improvement, and demonstrating accountability. This session introduces the principles and practices that underpin a thriving culture of assessment within educational institutions. A commitment to a culture of evidence emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that integrates assessment seamlessly into the fabric of our departmental and institutional culture, promoting an environment within student affairs where data-driven decision-making is normalized and celebrated. 

Equity-minded Assessment Practice

10/14/2025 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

As student affairs educators we hold a firm commitment to activating the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in our work, including in our assessment practices. In this session, we will discuss how assessment and equity intersect and explore framework and strategies for actively integrating principles of equity and justice across the assessment cycle.

The Assessment Plan (SPA)

10/16/2025 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

A key element of a successful assessment exercise is the development of a comprehensive assessment plan. In this session we will review the primary components of the Signature Program Assessment Template and learn more about how it encompasses the entire assessment cycle from selecting a program to storytelling, action planning and next steps. 

Crafting Your Learning Outcomes*

10/21/2025 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Presenter: *Denotes independent work time and opportunities for peer and/or facilitator feedback

We will engage in reflective dialogue about the learning outcomes for the program/event/service you are hoping to engage in with your focused assessment and your anticipated assessment priorities.

Tools: Successes and Challenges

10/21/2025 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

 In this dynamic Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, participants will have the opportunity to dig deeper into outstanding questions, lessons they have taken away from the learning to date and campus specific experiences they may be having.  No formal presentations—just honest conversation driven by your interests and experiences. Bring your questions and ideas, and join the conversation!

Homework Review: Tools

10/23/2025 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

After applying Day 3 learning within your homework, participants will identify a person in their team/division who has enacted the approach they are considering and discuss with them what worked well, what didn't. They will also explore two of the three assessment tools sessions (Focus Groups/Interviews, Surveys & Admin, Rubrics); we will spend time in learning pods reflecting on our learning. 

In this learning pod we will have space to unpack the homework from Day 3, reflect on key takeaways from the analysis approach sessions and prepare to explore our next session, Positionality, Relationships & Analysis. 

Positionality, Relationships & Analysis

10/23/2025 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

We are inherently part of our assessment practice – we make a series of choices through the cycle that shapes the process (and the outcome). During this session we will explore the importance of considering own positionality when engaging in the assessment process, and identity strategies to build mindfulness of its impact during the data analysis process.

Data Analysis: Qualitative OR Quantitative

10/28/2025 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Participants will choose from one of the following two sessions;

Session A provides an interactive introduction to qualitative data analysis, exploring foundational concepts and methods essential for analyzing qualitative data, such as interviews, focus groups, and open-ended survey responses. With a focus on different approaches to data analysis and intentional considerations of how our personal lenses shape how we analyze data, student affairs educators and practitioners will sharpen their  qualitative research skills to further contribute to data-driven decision-making at their own institutions.

Session B provides an interactive introduction to the analysis of quantitative data including survey data, registration, or activity data. The session is not about statistics rather we focus on simple percentages and where appropriate counts or rankings. The focus will be on analyzing the alignment with your original learning outcomes, program goals in order for you to begin considering how you want to tell stories and what future actions you propose.  

Examining Your Approach to Data Analysis*

10/28/2025 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Presenter: *Denotes independent work time and opportunities for peer and/or facilitator feedback

Assessment work requires more than collecting data, it requires analysis of the data and the ability to use the results/findings to make recommendations. 

In this case study activity, participants will have the opportunity to apply their learning in the institute thus far into a practice application of using results/findings to inform the next steps of an assessment project.

Assessment to Action: The Power of Sharing your Data Story

10/30/2025 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Data is an important part of assessment, but what happens after you’ve collected the data and analyzed it? How do you move from the assessment phase to the action phase? 

Sharing your data story is a crucial part of the assessment process and avoids the collection of great data and recommendations from getting lost in a shared drive or binder on a bookshelf. 

In this session we will learn about data storytelling, consider how to use this as a tool to build relationships on campus and spend some time applying these concepts to your assessment project with your campus culture in mind.

Q & A: Ask The Facilitators Anything!

10/30/2025 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Presenter: All

In our final session we will have a chance for each of our faculty members to share one final thought as it relates to assessment. We will also draw on your questions from earlier in the day and co-construct responses in an Ask us All Anything Format. And we will conclude with participants sharing what their next step is in their assessment journey.