Welcome to Student Affairs Assessment
Clemson University’s Division of Student Affairs recognizes the integral role of assessment in strategic planning and aligning human and financial resources. Student Affairs Business Operations supports the division’s departments and their objective to great a culture of evidence and continuous improvement. In addition to serving as a consultant to departments, the director of assessment coordinates division-level assessment efforts that support institutional goals, objectives, and metrics and university accreditation through The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges(SACSCOC).
Even though assessment may be formally part of someone’s role, every staff member is responsible for assessment and evaluation. Opportunities to improve, enhance, and/or streamline learning, operations, programs, processes, administrative functions, capital management, etc. exist. Staff should feel empowered to contribute in ensuring quality, efficiency, and relevance in everything they do.
The role of division staff is to:
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enhance competence and confidence in assessment, evaluation, and data governance by leveraging resources, trainings, and colleagues
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use best practices and evidence-based findings to inform practice
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be a good steward of resources and data and serve as a model to others
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articulate how individual work impacts departmental, divisional, and institutional goals and metrics
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seek out Assessment Liaison(s) or Director of Assessment with questions, comments, or ideas or when guidance is needed
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About
Kristin Walker-Donnelly, Ph.D., Director of Assessment
Dr. Kristin Walker-Donnelly serves as the Director of Assessment for Clemson University’s Division of Student Affairs and has worked in secondary and higher education in 2003. Previously she served as the Associate Director of Analytics and Initiatives at Clemson’s Center for Career and Professional Development and was recognized by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) with the NACE/Spelman Johnson Rising Star award in 2018 and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Foundation with the Women in Higher Education Achievement Award in 2017.
Walker-Donnelly leads the division’s assessment efforts and has presented on its sustainable planning approach at regional and national conferences and by request. She represents the division with the University Assessment Committee, Data Analytics Working Group, and groups focused on collecting and using data to support student success. Additionally she supports the division's role in accreditation and has served as the lead QEP evaluator for two institutions' reaffirmation processes with SACS-COC. Walker-Donnelly's approach to assessment is to leverage data to promote student success, continuous improvement, and intentional resource allocation. Her work in several areas demonstrates a proven commitment to enhancing the quality, efficiency and relevance of the division's program's services and administrative functions.
Beyond teaching in Clemson’s master’s and doctoral programs and serving on the editorial board for the College Student Affairs Journal, she was a board member for her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau, and the Southern Association of College Student Affairs. Walker-Donnelly has co-authored a book chapter in Multiculturalism on Campus, co-edited the New Directions in Students Services volume, Managing Career Transitions Across the Lifespan for the Student Affairs Practitioner, and is a co-founder of the national Competency Symposium. Walker-Donnelly earned her Ph.D. (2015) and M.Ed. (2012) from Clemson University and B.S. (2003) from Radford University.
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Philosophy of Assessment and Evaluation
The Division of Student Affairs entrusts every member of its staff to identify appropriate and innovative ways to leverage evidence to eliminate redundancies, minimize cost and risk, and maximize effectiveness in learning and operations. The division’s variety of departments, roles, responsibilities, and people is a strength and allows the division to positively impact students, faculty, staff, institution, community, and world.
Upcraft and Schuh (1996) defined assessment as “any effort to gather, analyze, and interpret evidence which describes institutional, departmental, divisional, or agency effectiveness. (p. 18). In 2016, Schuh et al. added assessment can include programs and initiatives. Evaluation takes assessment a step further by determining quality and worth and if intended outcomes align with actual outcomes (Suskie, 2009). Through assessment and evaluation, the Division of Student Affairs supports one of the Key Enablers in ClemsonForward:
- Accountability and leadership: Prudently manage resources, focus on impact rather than activity, clearly identify ownership of key initiatives and provide transparency through regular reporting to University leaders, Board of Trustees and the campus community.
References
Suskie, L. A. (2009). Assessing student learning: a common sense guide. 2nd ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Upcraft, M.L. & Schuh, J.H. (1996). Assessment in student affairs: A guide for practitioners. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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Contact
Kristin Walker-Donnelly
Division of Student Affairs
1376 Tiger Blvd., Suite 104
Clemson, SC 29631Phone: 864-656-0597
Fax: 864-656-6643*The information provided on this site contain links to assessment resources to support staff. If there are additional resources that would be helpful, or if your department would like to share resources on this page, contact the director of assessment.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
*Unavailable on all Clemson University Holidays.
