Western Carolina
University
Office of Assessment
A Division of the Office of the Provost
Mission Statement
The Office of Assessment at Western Carolina
University serves to promote excellence in
student learning, educational practices and
quality of service by establishing and
maintaining a campus culture of self evaluation
and improvement at all levels of the institution.
The office provides leadership and support to
the campus community in efforts to demonstrate
that the University is fulfilling its institutional
mission and to enhance Western Carolina
University as a community of scholarship.
Function #1
Coordinate and support an ongoing,
systematic program of institutional
evaluation and assessment of student
achievement, and facilitate the
incorporation of the findings into the
planning and accreditation processes;
Function #2
Work with academic and administrative
programs to develop and implement
outcomes-based assessment plans in
order to improve programs and services
at all institutional levels;
Function #3
Engage the campus community in a
dialogue about assessment through a
variety of avenues, including workshops,
presentations, newsletters, development
and maintenance of an assessment
website, and service on campus
committees; and
Function #4
Publish assessment research and
maintain an active role in professional
organizations.
Administrative Structure
Provost & Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs
Director of Assessment
Planning & Assessment Analyst
(University Planning)
Administrative Assistant
Goals for 2006-07
•
Support the SACS reaffirmation process
•
Support all academic and administrative units in
developing meaningful and manageable
assessment plans
•
Clarify the role(s) and function(s) of the Office of
Assessment to the campus community
•
Develop a model for communicating campus
assessment efforts and key assessment results
Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment
#1: I assume that all faculty and staff desire to
provide the best possible education and services
to our students; thus, I presume that you have
some processes in place (either formal or informal)
to make informed decisions about your program.
It is my goal to work with you to find the most
manageable and effective way to document
those processes.
Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment
#2: An effective process of assessment must be
sensitive to and reflective of institutional values
and resources.
Ultimately, a manageable and effective
assessment process must achieve a balance
among several key factors including internal
and external mandates, cost, and faculty/staff
time and effort.
Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment
#3 Meaningful assessment is not a bureaucratic
burden.
If we engage in assessment ‘just’ to satisfy
SACS or any other internal or external
mandate, then we are wasting our collective
time. We should engage in this process
because it is the right thing to do and provides
us with the tools to make informed decisions
to improve our programs and services.
Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment
#4: It is oft stated that education is the one
product for which the consumer does not wish to
receive his/her money’s worth.
I believe that this statement reflects a situation
in which the primary stakeholder in the
education process (i.e., the student) is not
empowered to take charge of their learning
process. A comprehensive process of learning
outcomes assessment CAN affect change in
this attitude.