Case Studies for Implementing Assessment in Student Affairs

From student involvement and software development to the use of assessment data in strategic planning and the broad institutionalization of a pilot program, there is something here for everyone responsible for assessment in higher education.

This is the 127th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Student Services. An indispensable resource for vice presidents of student affairs, deans of students, student counselors, and other student services professionals, New Directions for Student Services offers guidelines and programs for aiding students in their total development: emotional, social, physical, and intellectual.

Edited by Marilee J. Bresciani, Megan Moore Gardner and Jessica Hickmott, Case studies for implementing assessment in student affairs, has collected information in a standardized format from thirteen institutions of higher education from across the United States. The key word in understanding the applications of this book is “implementing” assessment. As a collection of case studies, this book focuses on looking at the process of implementing assessment, not sharing the findings from the assessment process. Therefore, this book is a good resource for administrators who are in decision-making roles and wish to develop assessment programs and strategies related to student development at their institution. As the Editors point out, it is not a “how-to” guide, but rather, is “intended to promote reflection about what constitutes good practice in implementing assessment within students affairs/services at your institution.” (p. 4).
—From NACADA Journal, Review by: Dawn Fettig and Lily Board, Academic Advising Center and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder