Academic Affairs units come together for Summer Assessment Summit

This summer, 18 Academic Affairs units came together for the Academic Affairs Assessment Summer Summit, a day dedicated to strengthening continuous improvement practices across campus. The event, co-led by Dory Thompson and Katie Boyd, served as both a professional development opportunity and a celebration of the collaborative spirit that drives institutional effectiveness work in the support of the University’s mission and the 2035 Strategic Plan, “Grounded & Groundbreaking.”

Academic Affairs leaders spent the day deepening their understanding of evaluation strategies and exploring tools to enhance data-informed decision making. From broad institutional data to specific unit-level metrics, the Summit showcased how well-crafted research questions can serve as a catalyst for meaningful improvement.

The morning featured two interactive workshops designed to build practical skills and knowledge. In a lively session, Stuart Miller and Yvette Stone, assistant director for academic data and coordinator for data collection and analysis, respectively, introduced Qualtrics—providing practical tips and tricks to the Academic Affairs staff in attendance. Everyone at Auburn University has access to this powerful tool, and there are many resources available to campus users. The summit discussion emphasized using the platform to capture high-quality data. 

In a second fast-paced and engaging session filled with sharp insights and practical humor, Rachel Whitman Rotch, senior analyst for education research, guided attendees through an assessment data journey—from asking a research question, identifying data needs, pinpointing data sources and owners, mobilizing data and ultimately interpreting results. The session wrapped with telling a data story, reminding participants to take time for meaning-making—to purposefully review results, reflect on conclusions and seek opportunity to inform practice.

The day concluded with a collaborative round-robin exercise, marking the inaugural effort to bring the units together and prepare assessment reports emphasizing their units’ missions and alignment with the new strategic plan. Participants reviewed the draft assessment reports of their peers with a key goal of cross-pollinating ideas and showcasing different approaches. This hands-on activity sparked rich conversations about creative approaches to measurement, opportunities for cross-departmental partnerships and strategies to amplify impact.

Together, these 18 Academic Affairs units are advancing an approach to assessment that not only strengthens individual programs but also moves the entire University closer to achieving its strategic vision. As the institution continues to evolve, the dedication of these units—and their commitment to aligning their work with institutional priorities—will continue to play an important role in advancing the university’s mission.