Assessment through Inquiry
Assessment helps us understand how we can improve student learning and development by examining whether our programs and services are working as intended. University of North Florida (UNF) uses a model called Assessment through Inquiry to support assessment in academic- and student-services departments across UNF.
Assessment through Inquiry is an inquiry-based model of assessment, which helps answer the basic question: Are we serving our students effectively, and how can we improve? The model is designed to provide:
- a consistent yet flexible structure for assessment
- centralized support for staff engaged in assessment
- an assessment focus on student needs, participation, satisfaction, and outcomes
- collaboration and support for a culture of inquiry focused on practical and meaningful assessment work.
This work helps us speak to institutional accreditation standards, as well as contribute to institutional goals including the performance-based funding metrics and presidential goals for student success.
View the Assessment through Inquiry Model for the 2023 Assessment Cycle.
Resources
A group of Assessment Fellows – designated staff members with assessment background and expertise – help lead Assessment through Inquiry and provide guidance to participants throughout the process.
Each participating unit is represented by an Assessment Ambassador, or a designated point person to lead the unit’s assessment work. View the current Assessment Ambassadors.
Community of Practice meetings are held the third Friday of each month to provide staff with ongoing training, support, and opportunities to engage with each other, Assessment Fellows, and OIE staff. Schedule of Meetings.
Canvas houses a collection of professional development materials for staff working on assessment. Brief videos, exemplars, and best practice information is available. Ambassadors submit assessment updates through Canvas to receive feedback and interact with staff. Contact Jennifer Perkins to gain access to the Canvas course.
Leadership
Assessment Fellows for the 2023 Assessment Cycle include:
Jasmine Elise Graham
Program Assistant, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
jasmine.elise.graham@unf.edu
she/her/hers
Dr. Amy Lorenz
Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life
amy.lorenz@unf.edu
she/her/hers
Dr. Jennifer Perkins
Associate Director of Assessment
j.perkins@unf.edu
she/her/hers
Dr. Justin M. Sipes
Director, Center for Community-Based Learning
justin.sipes@unf.edu
he/him/his
Dr. Amanda Kulp leads the Assessment through Inquiry initiative.
2023 Community of Practice (CoP) Schedule
Reflect and Interpret, June-July
Date | Topic (Tentative) | Time and Location |
---|---|---|
June 16 | Including Stakeholders | Building 57, Room 1000A, 12-1 p.m. |
July 28 | Making Sense of Your Data | Building 2, Room 1202, 12-1 p.m. |
Communicate via Storytelling, August-September
Date | Topic (Tentative) | Time and Location |
---|---|---|
Aug. 25 | Framing Your Findings | Building 2, Room 1202, 12-1 p.m. |
Sept. 15 | Creating Visual Stories | Building 2, Room 1202, 12-1 p.m. |
Act on Discoveries, October-November
Date | Topic (Tentative) | Time and Location |
---|---|---|
Oct. 20 | What Are My Next Steps? | Building 2, Room 1202, 12-1 p.m. |
Nov. 17 | Showcase: Engaging in Your Community of Practice | DSU Ballroom, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. |
2023 Roster
Department/Programs | Assessment Ambassador(s) | Assessment Fellow |
---|---|---|
Center for Community-Based Learning | Justin Sipes | Justin Sipes |
Office of Undergraduate Research | Judy Ochrietor, Kaitlyn Minnicks | Justin Sipes |
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life | Jen Miranda | Justin Sipes |
Military and Veterans Resource Center | Bob Buehn, Lori Kuhn-Hancock | Justin Sipes |
Academic Advising | Erin Richman | Justin Sipes |
Student Academic Success Services | Dylan Charles | Justin Sipes |
Career Services | Vivian Senior | Justin Sipes |
Housing and Residence Life | Amy Lorenz | Amy Lorenz |
Dean of Students | Rachel Winter, Becca Weiner | Amy Lorenz |
Department of Recreation and Wellness | Ashley Ballard | Amy Lorenz |
Student Government | M. Castro, M. Smith, J. Edgar | Amy Lorenz |
Office of Student Life | Maria Steadman | Amy Lorenz |
Student Union | Jennifer Nutt, Heather Corbitt | Amy Lorenz |
International Center | Luisa Martinex | Amy Lorenz |
Office of Institutional Effectiveness | Chadwick Lockley | Amy Lorenz |
Intercultural Center | Rene Poitevin | Jasmine Graham |
Interfaith Center | Matt Hartley | Jasmine Graham |
Women's Center | Sheila Spivey | Jasmine Graham |
Victim Advocacy | Whitney Washington | Jasmine Graham |
LGBTQ Center | Manny Velasquez-Paredes | Jasmine Graham |
Office of Diversity and Inclusion | Roshoinda Bissainthe | Jasmine Graham |
Admissions | Terry Evans | Jennifer Perkins |
Counseling Center | Deborah Baker, Misha Bogomaz | Jennifer Perkins |
Enrollment Services Planning | Rosalind Dexter-Harris | Jennifer Perkins |
One-Stop | Brett Butler | Jennifer Perkins |
SMART Center | Dan Dreibelbis | Jennifer Perkins |
Student Accessibility Center | Rusty Dubberly | Jennifer Perkins |
Student Health Services | Valerie Morrison | Jennifer Perkins |
Taylor Leadership Institute | Matt Ohlson, Sydnie Steele | Jennifer Perkins |
Welcome Center | Gabriela Vargas Uribe | Jennifer Perkins |
Writing Program and Center | L. Howell, D. MacKinnon, Holly Adams | Jennifer Perkins |