Support for Faculty Effectiveness

Workshops and Assessment Consultation Clinics

Virginia State University (VSU) prioritizes evaluating program-level student learning outcomes (PLSLOs) through annual assessments. However, achieving full compliance with established standards requires consistent effort and support for faculty. Recognizing this need, the Director of Institutional Assessment implements a multifaceted approach to empower faculty in utilizing assessment data to improve student learning. Support for faculty effectiveness and empowerment activities include:

• One-on-One Consultations/Clinic Sessions: Faculty members seeking personalized guidance engage in individual consultations with the Director of Institutional Assessment. The Director delves into their assessment results, collaboratively developing action plans tailored to their teaching styles and departmental contexts. This personalized approach fosters a deeper understanding of individual strengths and areas for improvement regarding PLSLO attainment. During the One-on-One Consultations / Clinic Sessions, some of the activities include addressing issues and situation specific to programs and departments, review of documents, and confirming all required assessment-related documents and activities are provided.
• Departmental Workshops and Discussions: The Director of Institutional Assessment facilitates workshops and discussion forums at the departmental level. These collaborative sessions promote a shared understanding of PLSLOs and their impact on student success. Faculty engage in brainstorming sessions, exploring innovative teaching methods and assessment strategies. Departments and programs hold annual assessment retreats at least annually in May, while others hold two assessment retreats in May and December. This collective approach fosters a shared responsibility for student learning and encourages cross-pollination of ideas between departments.
• College-Level Collaboration: The Director of Institutional Assessment convenes meetings with college leadership teams, ensuring alignment between departmental efforts and university-wide goals. These discussions spark cross-disciplinary collaborations and lead to the development of centralized resources and support systems. This top-down approach provides the necessary infrastructure and empowers faculty at all levels to excel in assessment and enhance student learning. In 2022, VSU transitioned from a paper-based assessment process to Nuventive Improvement System, an electronic assessment management system, which increased the accountability for assessing student learning outcomes. 

While VSU has made significant progress, the faculty’s journey toward excelling in the assessment of PLSLOs is ongoing and iterative. The Director of Institutional Assessment’s multipronged approach, encompassing individual, departmental, and college-level support, fosters a culture of assessment within the university. As faculty embrace data-driven teaching and implement innovative assessment strategies, classrooms transform into dynamic learning environments where student success is not just measured, but it is intentional and systematic based on the use of results. This ongoing commitment to assessment ensures that VSU remains on the path toward maximizing student learning outcomes and achieving its academic goals.