On-Going Cycle of Assessment and Institutional Improvement
Overview
Bellarmine University administrators, faculty, and staff identify outcomes for all programs, assess the success in achieving these outcomes, and use data collected to improve programs and student learning. This on-going cycle of assessment flows from the university mission, as well as the mission that guides each program. Learning outcomes in academic programs align with requirements of accrediting or external review bodies as appropriate, as well as disciplinary and pedagogical benchmarks.
Assessment of each program is detailed in annual reports submitted each May to the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. Deans review these reports and discuss both successes and opportunities for growth with department and program chairs. The Assistant Vice President (VP) for Academic Affairs and the Director of Institutional Research read all annual reports, correspond as necessary with chairs, deans, directors, and VPs, compile summary reports for each area, and submit them for review by the VP for Academic Affairs, who forwards a summary of key information to the President’s Cabinet for review.
Institutional Improvement
Annual changes to academic programs are noted in the Appendix to the Course Catalog, but the university is also engaged in several overarching initiatives to further enhance student learning.
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requires schools to engage in a 5-year plan to strengthen overall quality and student learning. Bellarmine University’s faculty chose internationalization as the theme for our QEP. The plan was reviewed and approved by SACS in 2008, and final assessment of the plan’s goals and learning outcomes will be reviewed again in 2013. Dr. Graham Ellis (gellis@bellarmine.edu) is the QEP Director. The QEP is available on the student, faculty, and staff portals for review by all university members, and it can also be accessed here.
Nationally, much emphasis is being given to liberal education – a holistic education that meshes work in a major with a general education/liberal arts curriculum. LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise), an initiative of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), offers numerous resources for university administrators and faculty members, and Bellarmine University recently sent a 5-member team to an AAC & U Institute on General Education. Bellarmine is also a participant in the Pathways Project of the Council of Independent Colleges.
In the 2012-13 academic year, faculty and administrators involved with these initiatives will be working with Dr. Graham Ellis (Assistant VP for Academic Affairs, gellis@bellarmine.edu) to engage the faculty at large and students in a review of Bellarmine University’s general education curriculum.
For information on university assessment protocols or the three initiatives noted above, contact Dr. David Mahan (dmahan@bellarmine.edu) or Dr. Graham Ellis (gellis@bellarmine.edu).
Bellarmine University Office of Institutional Research and Assessment Office Academic Affairs 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205