Assessing Student Learning in the Community and Two-Year College: Successful Strategies and Tools Developed by Practitioners in Student and Academic Affairs

This is a practical resource for community and two year college professionals engaged at all levels of learning outcomes assessment, in both academic and co-curricular environments. It is designed as a guide both to inform the creation of new assessment efforts and to enhance and strengthen assessment programs already established, or in development.

Each chapter addresses a key component of the assessment process, beginning with the creation of a learning-centered culture and the development and articulation of shared outcomes goals and priorities. Subsequent chapters lead the reader through the development of a plan, the selection of assessment methods, and the analysis of results. The book concludes by discussing the communication of results and their use in decision making; integrating the conclusions in program review as well as to inform budgeting; and, finally, evaluating the process for continuous improvement, as well as engaging in reflection.

The book is illustrated by examples developed by faculty and student affairs/services professionals at community and two year colleges from across the country. Furthermore, to ensure its relevance and applicability for its targeted readership, each chapter has at least one author who is a community college or two-year college professional.

Contributors are drawn from the following colleges:
Borough of Manhattan Community College
David Phillips
Buffalo State College
Joy Battison
Kimberly Kline
Booker Piper
Butler County Community College
Sunday Faseyitan
California State University, Fullerton
John Hoffman
Genesee Community College
Thomas Priester
Virginia Taylor
Heald College
Megan Lawrence
Stephanie Romano (now with Education Affiliates)
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Stacey Pierce
Miami Dade College
John Frederick
Barbara Rodriguez
Northern Illinois University
Victoria Livingston
Paradise Valley Community College
Paul Dale
San Diego Mesa College
Jill Baker
Julianna Barnes
San Diego State University
Marilee Bresciani
San Juan College
David Eppich
Stark State College
Barbara Milliken
University of Akron
Sandra Coyner
Megan Moore Gardner

Megan Moore Gardner is Associate Professor, Higher Education Administration, University of Akron.

Kimberly A. Kline is Associate Professor, Student Personnel Administration, Buffalo State College.

Marilee J. Bresciani Ludvik is Professor for Postsecondary Education and Co-Director of the Center for Educational Leadership, Innovation, and Policy, San Diego State University. She was formerly Assistant Vice President for Institutional Assessment at Texas A&M University. She has conducted outcomes assessment for programs and courses and is frequently invited to present assessment workshops nationally and internationally.

William E. Piland worked in the Fashion Merchandising Business before beginning a teaching career as a business teacher in community colleges. He held administrative positions as Division Director, Dean of Vocational Education, and Dean of Instruction in Illinois community colleges. He was Professor of Education at Illinois State University for 7 years. He taught postsecondary education leadership and workforce education courses at SDSU for 14 years.