Student Development Assessment Team

Mission

To facilitate effective and coordinated assessment across the Student Development partner areas with an emphasis on the assessment of Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Learning & Development Outcomes for programs and services.

Responsibilities

Guide Student Affairs colleagues in developing their skills for assessment and its documentation.
Orient new SDAT members to the assessment culture of the division.
Provide opportunities for the development of assessment knowledge and competencies among all members of the division.
Provide one-on-one consultations to colleagues regarding their assessment work.
Develop our assessment knowledge and competencies to better assist our colleagues.
Provide guides and templates for assessment planning and documentation.
Coordinate an annual assessment calendar to ensure optimal pacing, especially of large-scale assessments, in order to minimize "assessment fatigue".
Write supplemental items for major University assessments (e.g., Freshman Survey, Senior Survey) with an emphasis on the CAS Learning & Development Outcomes.
Track the inclusion and assessment of the CAS Learning & Development Outcomes across programs.

Members

Jackie Bevilacqua, coordinator of Health Services

Rachel Boaz, Residential Life coordinator

Melissa Flowers (Chair), director for residential education, Residential Life

Megan Kruse, coordinator for Technology & Special Projects, Dean of Students office

Catherine Morell-Nickle, coordinator of Disability Services for Students

Gary Neal, director of Counseling & Health Services

Katie Ramirez, assistant director of coaching & advising, Career Services

Richard Reams, associate director of Counseling Services

Jamie Thompson (Chair), director for Student Involvement

History

In the spring of 2008, VPSA Felicia Lee selected three members of the division as the Core Team of the nascent DAT. The Core Team--Becky Spurlock (first DAT Chair), Richard Reams, and Katie Storey--attended NASPA's International Assessment & Retention Conference during June and began planning the work of the DAT, which began in August of 2008.