Strategic Initiatives & Assessment // Student Affairs // University of Missouri

Our mission

Cultivating a culture of assessment to create an exceptional Mizzou student experience, success and outcomes.

Visual representation of assessment areas

Our purpose

Generate a culture where data is used to inform practices, guide decisions, and contribute to student success, learning, and development
Ensure we are being responsible stewards of our students’ and university resources
Validate program goals and outcomes are being met
Demonstrate our impact on the Mizzou student experience
Document our progress in relation to university strategic priorities
Improve our programs and services

Services provided

Survey design and implementation
Quantitative and qualitative analysis
Assistance with other assessment methods like focus groups, interviewing, observation, etc.
Strategic planning facilitation and consulting
Assessment planning consultation
Assessment capacity building
Qualtrics assistance
Large scale survey administration and analysis (e.g., NSSE, Student Experience Survey, New Student Check-in, etc.)
Data requests regarding student information
Assistance with external program reviews

How to request services

Assessment Request Form

Or contact Ashli Grabau at grabauash@missouri.edu or Sarah Parsons at smparsons@missouri.edu.

More information

The Student Affairs Annual Assessment Cycle is a standardized and sustainable learning-centered process for annual departmental assessment across the Division of Student Affairs to begin fall 2022 which supports data-informed decision making to create a high-quality student experience and improve student success and learning.

Step	Deliverable	Deadline
1	Submit department mission and program goals	Aug. 31
2	Submit assessment plan	Sept. 30
3	Do and assess	Ongoing
4	Submit results	June 21
5	Reflect and repeat	July-August

Survey reports

Division reports
- 2019 Retention Report

Annual survey schedule

Date(s)	Survey name	Description	Participants
Fall
Sept. 6–20	New Student Check-In Led by Undergraduate Studies and the Division of Student Affairs	The New Student Check-In is a high touch retention strategy for first-time freshmen and incoming transfer students. The survey is used to inform high touch individualized outreach and interventions with students who self-identify as having concerns that research has shown negatively influence retention.	All new first year students and transfer students and new non-degree seeking
Oct. 12–4	Graduate/Professional Student Experience Survey Sponsored by the Graduate School in partnership with the Division of Student Affairs and the Graduate Professional Council	The purpose of the GPSE Survey is to better understand the experiences of graduate and professional program students at MU to help inform strategies to improve their experience. The survey includes questions around academic quality, advising, professional development, career aspirations, employment and financial resources, student health and well-being, and satisfaction with student services and programs.
Spring
Jan. 31–Feb. 12	New Student Check-In Led by Undergraduate Studies and the Division of Student Affairs	The New Student Check-In is a high touch retention strategy for first-time freshmen and incoming transfer students. The survey is used to inform high touch individualized outreach and interventions with students who self-identify as having concerns that research has shown negatively influence retention.	All new first year students and transfer students and new non-degree seeking
Feb. 15–March 1	Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors (MACHB) Sponsored by the Wellness Resource Center	The MACHB is an annual online survey designed to understand the role of alcohol, drugs (illegal and prescription), mental health issues, and power-based personal violence in student health and wellness. The survey also assesses attitudes towards campus and community policies, other students’ behavior, and bystander interventions. The results are used to design effective programs, policies, and services to meet students needs.	Sample of undergraduates, graduate, and professional students
March 6–24	Undergraduate Student Experience Survey Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs	This survey measures student engagement, sense of belonging, social and academic integration, well-being, and satisfaction. Results are used to guide Student Affairs services, planning, and programming.	Sample of undergraduate students

Student Affairs Student Assessment Board

The Student Affairs Student Assessment Board (SAAB) brings together student perspectives in the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of assessment data, in coordination with the Strategic Initiatives and Assessment Office. It consists of 10 members from specific communities and organizations, and six at-large members from across the full student body.

Primary contacts:

Ashli Grabau, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assessment, grabauash@missouri.edu

Membership:

Katrina Boles, at-large (grad)
Heaven Butler, LBC
Eleanor Fay, Athletics
Bryson Ferguson, LBC
Logan Garrison, RHA
Josie Johnson, MSA
Danielle Levingston, LBC
Rishabh Mahendra, at-large (grad)
Kumyoung Noh, at-large
Sophia Pomrening, at-large
Jack Stiens, at-large
Vacant, GPC
Vacant, 4 Front
Vacant, 4 Front
Vacant, MISC
Vacant, MISC

If you are interested in joining SAAB or know of a student interested in doing so, please contact Ashli Grabau, director of Strategic Initiatives and Assessment, at grabauash@missouri.edu.

Applications are due Oct. 19 at 11:59 p.m.

Application for the Student Affairs Student Assessment Board