This unique book is a valuable tool for all student affairs educators. The text opens with an exploration of the history of assessment in higher education, in general, and then student affairs more specifically. Having established a historical perspective, the reader then delves into chapters that align with the Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (AER) competency and accompanying rubric. It provides the reader with a unique approach to learning and understanding AER. It is designed in a format that describes/defines this competency at the foundational, intermediate, and advanced outcome levels; suggests ways to apply this competency in practice through case studies from student affairs; and provides tools for the assessment of competency understanding. All chapters include relevant terminology necessary for understanding, the competency applied to a case study, and an opportunity for self-assessment. While the book is designed for those who are preparing to become student affairs educators and for those who are new to this discipline, it is certainly filled with information and resources for entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level professionals. The text is not only a blueprint but also a global positioning system on assessment, evaluation, and research in student affairs to guide the reader in the process of helping and educating students. The book bridges the gap between who one is today and who one wants to become as a future student affairs educator. As a guidebook, it is a unique and valuable source to aid the student in developing real professional competency.

A practical, comprehensive manual for assessment design and implementation Assessment in Student Affairs, Second Edition offers a contemporary look at the foundational elements and practical application of assessment in student affairs. Higher education administration is increasingly called upon to demonstrate organizational effectiveness and engage in continuous improvement based on information generated through systematic inquiry. This book provides a thorough primer on all stages of the assessment process. From planning to reporting and beyond, you'll find valuable assessment strategies to help you produce meaningful information and improve your program. Combining and updating the thoroughness and practicality of Assessment in Student Affairs and Assessment Practice in Student Affairs, this new edition covers design of assessment projects, ethical practice, student learning outcomes, data collection and analysis methods, report writing, and strategies to implement change based on assessment results. Case studies demonstrate real-world application to help you clearly see how these ideas are used effectively every day, and end-of-chapter discussion questions stimulate deeper investigation and further thinking about the ideas discussed. The instructor resources will help you seamlessly integrate this new resource into existing graduate-level courses. Student affairs administrators understand the importance of assessment, but many can benefit from additional direction when it comes to designing and implementing evaluations that produce truly useful information. This book provides field-tested approaches to assessment, giving you a comprehensive how-to manual for demonstrating—and improving—the work you do every day. Build your own assessment to demonstrate organizational effectiveness Utilize quantitative and qualitative techniques and data Identify metrics and methods for measuring student learning Report and implement assessment findings effectively Accountability and effectiveness are the hallmarks of higher education administration today, and they are becoming the metrics by which programs and services are evaluated. Strong assessment skills have never been more important. Assessment in Student Affairs gives you the knowledge base and skill set you need to shine a spotlight on what you and your organization are able to achieve.

With the recognition of the integral role of student affairs in student education, and with stakeholders requiring increasing accountability at a time of tight resources, it has become imperative that staff be familiar with and competent in undertaking assessment. This book provides student affairs staff with the grounding they need to integrate assessment into how they design and monitor the programs, services, and activities they create to contribute to students’ development.This book is intended both as a text for student affairs and higher education master’s programs, and as a practical guide for early career staff who have had little formal preparation in assessment. It can be used for self-study or in professional development workshops. For divisions, departments, or units getting started with assessment, the discussion questions at the end of the chapters can engage staff in the process of developing an effective assessment culture. This book provides a thorough introduction to all aspects of assessment, assuming no prior knowledge, and illustrated throughout with examples of application in student affairs settings. Key elements include:• Takes into account the latest standards and competencies defined by AAC&U, ACPA, AER, CAS, NASPA, and others• Introductory and comprehensive• Provides essential background and theory• Covers preparation, planning and design• Describes the full range of assessment methods• Introduces principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis• Guidance on using and sharing results• Addresses cultivating and sustaining a culture of assessment• Considers ethical and political concerns• Covers use of technology• Illustrated throughout by examples of practice in student affairs.

In this valuable resource, well-known scholars present a detailed understanding of contemporary theories and practices in the fields of measurement, assessment, and evaluation, with guidance on how to apply these ideas for the benefit of students and institutions. Bringing together terminology, analytical perspectives, and methodological advances, this second edition facilitates informed decision-making while connecting the latest thinking in these methodological areas with actual practice in higher education. This research handbook provides higher education administrators, student affairs personnel, institutional researchers, and faculty with an integrated volume of theory, method, and application.

This book documents the importance of assessing student learning, and provides student affairs professionals with specific techniques, ideas, and examples for assessing student learning and development in academic and student support services.

Nearly a third of all college students are enrolled in at least one online course, and that number continues to grow. Meeting students where they are means bringing student services and supports to online learners by creating innovative ways to carry out traditional student affairs functions. This book shares best practices, case studies, examples, experiences, and ideas for supporting online learners through their college experience. The first section focuses on preparing for the everchanging higher education landscape and situating student affairs in the 21st century. The authors address how to support learners taking hybrid and fully online courses within virtual learning environments and how to educate and support 21st-century students. The second section focuses on the paradigm shift needed to bring traditional student affairs work to the online environment. The authors address how individual functional areas within student affairs can provide services and supports to students who take their courses 100% online and to traditional on-campus students who take online courses. The third and final section explores leveraging technology to advance the work of student affairs for online learners. Tools discussed include learning management systems, virtual conferencing systems, online integrative cocurricular programming, digital badging, and virtual learning communities.