Assessment in Student Affairs—A Guide for Practitioners

For practitioners at all levels of experience, Assessment in Student Affairs provides a single-volume, practical resource on using assessment to develop and improve all facets of student affairs. It includes detailed guidance for student affairs staff on how to assess student needs, student satisfaction, campus environments, campus cultures, and student outcomes. And it explains how senior staff can employ assessment findings in strategic planning, policy development, and day-to-day decision making.

M. LEE UPCRAFT is a research associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education, assistant vice president emeritus for student affairs, and affiliate professor emeritus of higher education at Pennsylvania State University. JOHN H. SCHUH is associate vice president for student affairs at Wichita State University, where he is also professor of counseling and school psychology.

THE CONTEXT FOR ASSESSMENT IN STUDENT AFFAIRS.

Why Student Affairs Needs a Comprehensive Approach to Assessment.

Key Questions to Ask in Assessment.

Using Qualitative Methods.

Using Quantitative Methods (P. Terenzini & M. Upcraft).

DIMENSIONS OF ASSESSMENT IN STUDENT AFFAIRS.

Tracking Clients' Use of Services, Programs, and Facilities.

Assessing Student Needs.

Assessing Student Satisfaction.

Assessing Campus Environments.

Assessing Student Cultures (E. Whitt).

Assessing Program and Service Outcomes (P. Terenzini & M. Upcraft).

Benchmarking: Comparing Performance Across Organizations.

Measuring Effectiveness Against Professional Standards (T. Miller).

ASSESSMENT CHALLENGES FOR PRACTITIONERS.

Reporting and Using Assessment Results.

Maintaining High Standards of Ethics and Integrity.

Making Assessment Work: Guiding Principles and RecommAndations.