What We Do
Assessment and Research is a shared service office for the University of Florida’s Division of Student Life. When not assisting units, Assessment and Research enacts its mission by advancing the following strategies:
Assessment and Research works to build the assessment competencies of staff in the Division of Student Life. Action items include expanding a variety of training topics and formats, incorporating educational materials into consultations, and refinement of the DSL Conference.
Assessment and Research works to help departments organize and utilize their data in meaningful ways that help them to share their stories and how they contribute to the student experience. Action items include validation of departmental data sets, expanding a DSA data bank enriched by the UF data lake, and advocate for improved UF data governance.
Assessment and Research works to improve its efficiency and ability to support DSL assessment and research needs. Action items include streamlined project intake forms, a consultation process guide, and implementation of project management software.
Assessment and Research works to represent the DSL in UF’s institutional reporting for the UF Board of Trustees, the Board of Governors, accreditation, and ranking organizations. Action items include timely submission of institutional effectiveness plans and reports, valuable contributions to reaffirmation, and consistent data points to UF’s Office of Institutional Planning & Research for ranking organizations.
Assessment and Research works to advance DSL’s scholarship by collaborating with individuals and departments on a variety of research studies for publication and/or presentation. Action items include networking academic partners, service as an honest broker, navigating IRB, assistance with manuscripts, and pursuit of grants.
The intentional alignment of assessment efforts with departmental, divisional, and institutional goals in support of more effective, efficient, and sustainable decision-making. In addition to supporting department goal setting as a type of project, Assessment and Research maps department goals to division and institutional objectives, assists with division planning, and coordinates reporting of institutional effectiveness plans for Accreditation, Comprehensive Department Reviews as well as contributions to ranking agency submissions.