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.