Assessment
Understanding Assessment
Assessment is a data-informed decision-making process that involves collecting, analyzing, and acting on information and evidence with the goal of improving students' outcomes and experiences, therefore supporting institutional effectiveness and accreditation.
The assessment learning cycle explains the process of continuous improvement:
- Plan and identify outcomes, based on mission and goals
- Establish a plan to collect evidence
- Provide the experience and collect data
- Make meaning and draw conclusions from the findings
- Identify and implement changes
- Repeat
See the student learning outcomes assessment website for more information.
Rationale for Assessment
The assessment of academic and co-curricular experiences, which is a critical component of HLC accreditation, provides an opportunity to engage in regular continuous improvement regarding the quality of educational programs and learning environments across campus.
Assessment Timelines
Assessment is a cyclical, ongoing process that involves annual reporting. Annual assessment reports reflect the level of achievement of outcomes from the previous academic year. For co-curricular experiences, assessment reports are due August 1st and academic assessment reports are due October 1st.
Assessment is a cyclical process focused on the continuous improvement of student learning.
Important Deadlines
- July 15 - Annual Assessment data is due for co-curricular experiences
- October 1 - Annual Assessment Reports due for academic degree programs and certificates.
| August - September |
Finalize assessment plan, identify outcomes to be assessed and which measures will be used. |
|---|---|
| October - December |
October 1: assessment reports from the prior academic year are due
|
| January - May |
|
| May - August |
|
For the complete APR timeline, see the UND APR website.
| When | Who | What | |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 31, 2025 | Program Review Author |
|
|
| January 16, 2026 | College Review Team | College Review Team Report due | |
| April 1, 2026 | Academic Dean | Dean's Summary Report due | |
| April - May, 2026 |
Academic Dean Department Chair Appropriate Department Representatives |
Meeting to discuss program review outcomes and action steps | |
| May 29, 2025 |
Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies and Student Success Dean of the School of Graduate Studies |
VPAA Summary Report due |
Celebrating Assessment
Annual Assessment Award
The UND Excellence in Assessment Award is presented to a UND employee who has gone above and beyond in their prescribed assessment duties. The recipient of this award is selected by the University Assessment Committee. The recipient has excelled in assessment completion, quality of assessment, use of assessment results to make improvements, promoting a culture of assessment, volunteer with assessment and/or accreditation opportunities on campus, and have positive interactions with the members of the assessment office and the assessment committee.
Award Winners
- 2025-2026, Nicole Derenne, Art & Design
- 2024-2025, Helene Weldt-Basson, Languages & Global Studies
- 2023-2024, Tracy Enger, Nursing
- 2022-2023, Sven Egenhoff, Geology & Geological Engineering
- 2021-2022, Amber Johnson, Nurse Anesthesia
- 2020-2021, Deborah Worley, Education
- 2019-2020, Brooke Solberg, Medical Laboratory Science