University Program Assessment Specialist

Description

The University Program Assessment Coordinator provides leadership and coordination for academic program assessment across the university. This position supports faculty and academic leadership in developing, implementing, and sustaining meaningful assessment practices that improve student learning and program quality. Working collaboratively with deans, department chairs, program coordinators, and assessment committees, the coordinator ensures that assessment activities are systematic, evidence-based, and aligned with institutional priorities and accreditation standards.

Examples of Duties

Provide leadership for the program review process - 50%

• Coordinate and oversee the annual programs assessment reporting process, including timelines, templates, and review protocols for all academic programs.
• Support faculty and program leaders in developing measurable student learning outcomes and effective methods for assessing them.
• Facilitate the alignment of course, program, and institutional learning outcomes.
• Ensure assessment processes emphasize improvement and closing the loop rather than mere compliance.
• Maintain consistent communication with deans and chairs to support integration of assessment into curriculum planning and program review.
• Serve as a campus resource for best practices in program assessment and outcomes-based education.
• Provide feedback on assessment reports to strengthen the quality and usefulness of results.
• Compile, analyze, and summarize assessment findings across programs to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement at the institutional level.
• Maintain accurate and accessible documentation of program assessment plans, results, and improvement actions.

Lead and oversees the assessment of the university's General Education program: 20%

• Ensure a viable assessment plan for the university's General Education program is in place.
• Coordinate data collection and analysis for General Education learning outcomes assessment.
• Facilitate calibration sessions for juried assessment of student artifacts.
• Develops annual student achievement reports for General Education program outcomes.
• Work with faculty to review assessment findings and use of results to improve the university's General Education program.
• Ensure colleges, programs, and departments receive regular assessment information about the university's General Education program.
• Work closely with the Faculty Senate General Education Committee (FSUAC) and to guide effective general education assessment processes.

Communicate effectively and support continuous improvement efforts - 10%

• Ensure program assessment practices align with regional and specialized accreditation expectations.
• Contribute assessment data and analysis to institutional accreditation self-studies, mid-cycle reviews, and program review processes.
• Prepare regular summaries of assessment findings for university leadership and faculty governance.
• Foster a culture of evidence, reflection, and improvement across all academic programs.

Support faculty research and internal funding opportunities - 20%

• Assist faculty with research design and data analytics including the use of tools such as Qualtrics.
• Provide professional development regarding assessment and research as needed.
• Administer internal grants including the Provost Opportunity Grant, Scholarly Activity Fund, and the Access, Opportunity and Community Grant.

Typical Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in higher education, curriculum and instruction, educational research, or a related field required.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of experience in academic assessment, institutional effectiveness, or program evaluation required.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and facilitation skills required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of program-level assessment methods and practices preferred.
• Experience leading academic program assessment at the institutional level preferred.
• Familiarity with accreditation standards and program review processes preferred.
• Experience with assessment management or data visualization tools preferred.

Special Instructions:

Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.

Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.