Director of Assessment

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) seeks an experienced professional to lead the institution in sustaining a campus-wide culture in which assessment is understood, valued, and used for continuous improvement. As an increasingly diverse community of student and faculty scholars and staff, UCA is committed to evaluating and measuring for improvement its commitments to academic integrity, integrity, and diversity (AVID), the core values that animate its institutional life. Reporting to the Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and working in close collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research, the Director of Assessment has responsibility for supporting the entire campus in demonstrating its expression of these values. The position is a full-time, 12-month appointment with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2018.

Responsibilities

The Director of Assessment

1. Provides expertise and consultative support across campus in (a) identifying mission-relevant goals and measurable outcomes; (b) developing appropriate direct and indirect measures of these outcomes; (c) collecting and analyzing assessment data using appropriate research methodologies and applicable software applications; (d) drawing conclusions from assessment data that facilitate data-informed improvements in student learning and/or unit performance; and (e) communicating assessment results and decisions to the university community, state and accrediting agencies, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
2. Implements, documents, and evaluates efficient processes for conducting assessment planning, reporting, review, and use.
3. Reports on progress towards achieving assessment goals to the Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness.
4. Works collaboratively with (a) the Office of Institutional Research to ensure that relevant data sources are accessible to campus continuous improvement processes and that the campus is supported in ethical and responsible use of data in these processes; (b) the Center for Teaching Excellence to design and implement training for faculty, staff, and administrators in the fundamentals of assessment and the university’s assessment systems and processes; (c) the Director of the UCA Core and the UCA Core Council to manage general education assessment processes; (d) the university’s strategic planning leadership, groups, and processes to assist in area and program assessment that responds to the goals of the university’s strategic plan; and (e) faculty, staff, and administrators to collect and report evidence of continuous improvement in support of the criteria for Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation.
5. Oversees administration of UCA’s assessment software systems (Blue by eXplorance and Taskstream and Aqua by Watermark).
6. Oversees the duties of the Assessment Coordinator, including (a) actively maintaining the assessment web site; (b) organizing and communicating the university’s assessment processes; and (c) maintaining the university’s online student course evaluation system.
7. Chairs three standing committees related to the responsibilities outlined here: the Academic Assessment Committee, the Co-Curricular and Support Unit Assessment Committee, and the Student Course Evaluation Committee.
8. Serves on other university committees, including the Diversity Advisory Committee, the Diversity Strategic Plan Committee, and related subcommittees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Demonstrated expertise in research methodology, statistical analysis, and technical writing is required, with specific expertise in the assessment of student learning and program outcomes in higher education preferred.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate assessment processes to faculty, staff, and administrators in a non-technical manner.
3. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including an understanding of higher education culture and the ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with faculty, staff, and administrators in an environment that values shared governance.
4. Proficiency in the use of data management, analysis, and reporting software is required, and experience using SIS, LMS, and assessment software is desired.
5. Familiarity with the reporting processes of at least one regional or national accrediting agency, such as HLC (UCA’s regional accreditor), AACSB, ABET, CAEP/NCATE, is desired.

Required Education and/or Experience

This position requires a graduate degree (master’s or higher) from an accredited institution; at least three (3) years of full-time professional experience in a position involving educational assessment, quality assurance, program evaluation, behavioral research, or a similar field; and supervisory experience.

Preferred Experience

At least three (3) years of full-time professional experience in a position in higher education that required—as a primary job responsibility—the assessment and reporting of program outcomes for improvement and/or accreditation purposes.

Applications

To apply, complete an application and submit a cover letter; a curriculum vitae; an assessment portfolio including selected assessment work, such as assessment plans, assessment measures, and assessment reports; and the contact information for at least three (3) professional references using UCA’s online application system at https://jobs.uca.edu. For consideration, applications must be received by January 13, 2019.

Direct questions about the position to Jonathan Glenn, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, by email to jona@uca.edu, with the words “Director of Assessment Position” in the subject line.

University, Campus, and Community

Founded in 1907, UCA has an enrollment of more than 11,000, of which approximately 1,800 are graduate students. The university offers more than 90 undergraduate and 60 graduate certificate and degree programs, including seven doctoral programs. The student body consistently scores above the national average on the ACT exam. UCA is proud of its tradition of teaching excellence and its contributions in research, scholarship, and creative activities. The campus is widely acclaimed for its beauty. UCA is located in Conway, Arkansas, a thriving city of approximately 65,000 in central Arkansas, and thirty minutes from Little Rock. Conway is home to several major industries, two private colleges, an excellent public school system, and strong private K12 schools. Residents have easy access to the Ouachita and Ozark National forests and pristine wildlife areas near the Buffalo National River.

Background Check

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal, sex-offender registry, financial history background check and drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

UCA EEO Statement

The University of Central Arkansas is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution dedicated to attracting and supporting a diverse student, faculty and staff population through enhanced multicultural learning environments and opportunities. In keeping with its nondiscrimination policy in employment, admissions and other functions and programs, the university considers employees and students on the basis of individual merit and will not discriminate against a person on the basis of, race or color, ethnicity, religion, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, familial status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disability, political beliefs, intellectual perspective, genetic information, military status, or other factors irrelevant to participation in its programs.