Director of Academic Program Assessment
Position Description
The Director of Academic Program Assessment oversees, studies, advises, and coordinates
academic program assessment at UMF. Because of these duties, the Director is expected to
participate in professional development at the state, regional, and national level, with
support provided by the Provost’s Office. While the Director remains a full member of the
faculty, he or she is reassigned to the Director position half-time during the academic year.
In addition, the Director will be compensated by the Provost as appropriate for any work
outside of the period of the faculty contract. The Director reports to and is evaluated by the
Provost. However, the Provost may take no action on appointment or termination without
the advice and approval of the Faculty Senate, and the Provost must consult with the Chair
of the Faculty Senate in conducting the annual evaluation of the Director.
Responsibilities
1. Provide leadership in implementing an institution-wide academic assessment program
as a coordinated process that improves student-learning outcomes. Assess, prioritize, and
respond to needs related to job responsibilities.
2. Support the planning, implementation, and measurement of academic assessment goals
and objectives. Participate in policy development and implementation. Support academic
long-range planning and design relative to assessment and program development.
3. Provide guidance, leadership, and advice to faculty, academic administrators, and others
involved in the design, development, and evaluation of instructional programs. Plan
programs and workshops on assessment for faculty meetings to inform faculty of the
purpose of the program and to share the results of assessment. Coordinate, develop,
maintain, and utilize appropriate information systems and records necessary to document
assessment processes.
4. Maintain liaison with national, regional, state and local organizations promoting
educational evaluation and assessment. Support specialized accreditation efforts (CAEP,
NEASC) in documenting student achievement and continuous program improvement.
5. Attend meetings of the Faculty Senate Assessment Committee. Provide support for
committee activities and initiatives. Collaborate with committee on the development of
assessment policies, procedures, and planning. Report to committee on ongoing academic
program assessment activities.
6. As needed, convene and chair meetings of Analysis and Research Group, including the
Chair of Interdisciplinary and General Education Committee, the Chair of the Assessment
Committee, the Coordinator of First Year and Writing Seminars, the Director of
Institutional Research, the Coordinator of Special Projects in the Dean of Education’s Office,
and others as appropriate. Facilitate communication among various groups working on
academic assessment and documenting institutional effectiveness in academic areas.
Procedures
The Director will be appointed by the Provost with the advice and approval of the Faculty
Senate. The Faculty Senate will advertise the appointment, solicit and review applications,
interview candidates, and forward a list of one or more acceptable candidates to the
Provost. The Provost will then select a candidate and submit his or her name to the Faculty
Senate for approval. The appointment will be made by the Provost following Faculty
Senate approval. In the event that the Provost does not find any of the recommended
candidates acceptable, the Provost will attend a Faculty Senate meeting for a frank and
confidential discussion of the candidates.
The initial appointment will be for a one-year probationary period, after which the
Director’s term may be renewed for an additional two years on the recommendation of the
Provost and a majority vote of the Faculty Senate. Following this first term, the Director
may be reappointed for a second three-year term on the recommendation of the Provost
and a majority vote of the Faculty Senate. If, in either case, the Director does not have the
support of both the Faculty Senate and the Provost, no appointment will be made, and the
procedures for an initial appointment will apply. No Director may serve for longer than six
consecutive years.
The Director’s appointment may be terminated prior to the end of his or her term by a
majority vote of the Faculty Senate and the recommendation of the Provost. Neither the
Faculty Senate vote nor the recommendation of the Provost is sufficient by itself for
termination of the appointment. In the event that the Provost and the Faculty Senate
disagree on whether or not an appointment should continue, the Provost shall attend a
Faculty Senate meeting for a frank and confidential discussion of the Director’s
performance.
At the end of each academic year (but prior to the final Faculty Senate meeting of the year),
the Director will prepare a report summarizing his or her activities for the year. The report
will be submitted to the Provost, with a copy to the Chair of the Faculty Senate. After
consulting with the Chair of the Faculty Senate, the Provost will write an annual evaluation
of the Director, with a copy to the Chair of the Faculty Senate. This annual evaluation will
be treated by the Chair of the Faculty Senate as confidential information.
Position Review
In consultation with the Assessment Committee and Provost, the Faculty Senate will
periodically review the continuing need for an Assessment Director. The first review will
occur one year after the position is first filled and prior to the one-year probationary
review of the incumbent. A second review will occur at three years, timed to precede any
action on renewal or otherwise filling the post. Reviews will follow every three years
thereafter, or more frequently if approved by a majority vote of the Senate.