Research and Assessment

The Office of Research and Assessment promotes a better understanding of UTB and TSC students and their experiences. Specifically, the office supports the work of the Student Affairs Division by:

• Profiling current and changing student demographics and constituencies to help define priorities and directions.
• Developing a means for evaluating the effectiveness of the allocation of division resources and their alignment with institutional and Division of Student Affairs priorities.
• Promoting continuous quality improvement by supporting Student Affairs staff in the development of and methodology used to conduct ongoing and ad hoc effectiveness studies, thereby encouraging the division’s commitment to a "culture of evidence” for planning and decision making.
• Developing a means for informing professional practice within the division based on student development theory.
• Identifying and facilitating opportunities for enhancing professional capabilities and commitment of division staff.
• Developing opportunities for collaboration with academic and other institutional units.

Each component of the Division of Student Affairs is responsible for developing and managing a:

• Biennial Department Action Plan developed to support the UTB/TSC Strategic Plan, the Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plan and to incorporate improvement objectives resulting from analysis of relevant data and information.
• Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan focusing on the priority expected learning outcomes of the Division of Student Affairs and outlining assessment methodology and criteria for each department within the division.
• Process of comprehensive program review of their department through a Program Self-Evaluation that guides compliance, effectiveness, efficiency and the integrity with which each department operates. Regular Peer Evaluation Program Reviews regularly follow the program self-evaluation, further demonstrating the division’s commitment to self-assessment and accountability.