Practical Assessment Strategies Series (PASS)
January’s Practical Assessment Strategies Series (PASS) featured several sessions led by industry experts, offering valuable insights and practical skills. The Professional Development Committee is excited to announce six follow-up workshops to PASS, aimed at further enhancing your professional toolkit. These workshops will guide participants in using new tools to improve efficiency and enhance assessment techniques. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your professional capabilities and stay ahead in the field of assessment. Register now and take the next step in your professional development journey!
Each workshop will have a MAX of 15 registrants to allow for constructive discussions, questions, and opinions. So register soon!
These sessions are FREE to members, and $25 per session for non-members.
$5 OFF per session when registering for 3 or more sessions as a bundle.
Creating Data Stories that Resonate
Ryan Smith, Director of University Assessment
Illinois State University
February 26, 2025
3pm-4:30pm ET / 2am-3:30pm CT / 1pm-2:30pm MT / 12pm-1:30pm PT
Description: Participants will be introduced to the data storytelling framework—characters, setting, conflict, and resolution—and learn how to apply it to real-world data. After a brief demonstration of how this framework transforms raw data into a narrative, participants will build their own data story.
A separate follow-up session will focus on visualizing data stories. However, this workshop stands alone and does not require attendance at Part 2. Participants are welcome to attend either or both sessions.
Speaker Bio: Ryan Smith is the director of university assessment at Illinois State University. Ryan has presented and administered many workshops on data storytelling in higher education. Ryan focused on how storytelling can address the problems of data overload, audience engagement, and advocacy. He holds a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. MSE in Education from Drake University, and BA in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Ryan has over 25 years of experience in higher education assessment, institutional research, and planning.
Bringing Data Stories to Life with Visualizations
Ryan Smith, Director of University Assessment
Illinois State University
March 5, 2025
3pm-4:40pm ET / 2am-3:40pm CT / 1pm-2:40pm MT / 12pm-1:40pm PT
Description: Building on the storytelling framework from Part 1, this session will focus on translating a data narrative into a visualization. Participants will be introduced to principles of visualization, types of visualizations, and finally a demonstration. Next, participants will collaboratively engage with sample visualizations and work together to craft a story from the data. Finally, participants will sketch their own data visualization based on a given narrative, reinforcing the connection between data, visuals, and storytelling.
A separate previous session covers crafting a data narrative. This workshop stands alone and does not require attendance at Part 1. Participants are welcome to attend either or both sessions.
Speaker Bio: Ryan Smith is the director of university assessment at Illinois State University. Ryan has presented and administered many workshops on data storytelling in higher education. Ryan focused on how storytelling can address the problems of data overload, audience engagement, and advocacy. He holds a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. MSE in Education from Drake University, and BA in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Ryan has over 25 years of experience in higher education assessment, institutional research, and planning.
Organizing Program Reviews with MS Planner
Jacqueline Olson , Director of University Assessment
Walden University
March 12, 2025
3pm-4:30pm ET / 2am-3:30pm CT / 1pm-2:30pm MT / 12pm-1:30pm PT
Description: Join us for an engaging workshop designed to help you utilize Microsoft Planner to effectively organize and manage program reviews. Whether you're new to MS Planner or looking to refine your skills, this session will equip you with the strategies and tools needed to streamline your review process and enhance productivity.
* Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications and access to the MS Planner App is required.
In this workshop, you will learn to:
- Navigate MS Planner and understand the interface and essential features.
- Create plans for program reviews, assign tasks, and monitor progress.
- Use MS Planner to facilitate team collaboration and communication during the review process.
- Learn how MS Planner integrates with other Microsoft 365 applications for a cohesive workflow.
- Discover tips and best practices to maximize the effectiveness of your program reviews using MS Planner.
* This workshop is ideal for program managers, team leaders, and anyone involved in organizing and conducting program reviews who wants to improve their organizational skills and efficiency using MS Planner.
Speaker Bio: Jacqueline (Jackie) Olson is the Director of University Assessment at Walden University. With over 30 years in education, Jackie has led initiatives to improve curriculum quality, align educational objectives, and foster continuous improvement. Known for her strategic thinking skills, she navigates complex challenges and identifies clear paths to operationalize plans effectively. Jackie holds an EdD in Educational Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University. She's passionate about leveraging data to drive educational excellence. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening and hiking new trails with her dog.
What can you do with Sharepoint?
Dr Fiona H. Chrystall, Director of Curriculum Quality Assurance and Assessment
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
March 19, 2025
3pm-4:30pm ET / 2am-3:30pm CT / 1pm-2:30pm MT / 12pm-1:30pm PT
Description: Helping program faculty with assessment work entails removing as many unnecessary barriers as possible so that the focus can truly be on providing the best possible learning experience for our students. Finding and using tools that are familiar and intuitive for this work is essential and most educators are familiar with the Microsoft Office suite of products. Sharepoint and other MS Office products can be used for collaborative work, archiving materials, training, peer review, and all sorts of activities related to assessment. This workshop demonstrates ways in which these tools have been utilized at a medium-sized community college with an Assessment Office of one to provide a manageable system that has been developed and used for over 10 years by faculty, department chairs, deans, and administrators. Participants will not only see what can be done, but will be walked through how to develop sites in Sharepoint that can be honed to meet faculty and administrative needs.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Fiona Chrystall has been the Director of Curriculum Quality Assurance and Assessment at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in western North Carolina since 2013. She has worked in higher education in the UK and the US, at private and public institutions, and within the 2-year and 4-year systems for over 30 years. Finding ways to meet faculty where they are at in their assessment journey and creating support mechanisms and systems to make the work as efficient and effective as possible is a primary focus of her work. Ensuring students have the best possible learning experience is the purpose and motivation that keeps this seasoned educator hard at work.
Smart Assessment Management: Harnessing Google Sheets for Data-Driven Success
Carolyn Beamer, Associate Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Dr. Angela Bryan, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation Liaison
University of West Florida
March 26, 2025
3pm-4:30pm ET / 2am-3:30pm CT / 1pm-2:30pm MT / 12pm-1:30pm PT
Description: Google Sheets is a powerful and free tool that simplifies assessment management in both educational and professional settings. It allows for seamless data collection, analysis, and visualization within a collaborative environment. An effective assessment process requires organization, structured data collection, and the ability to display insights in a meaningful way. This workshop will explore key functionalities and best practices for leveraging Google Sheets to enhance assessment management, ensuring efficiency and clarity in data-driven decision-making.
2-3 Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to design their own Google Sheet or other spreadsheet for collecting assessment data and establish a structured file system that ensures easy and efficient access for all relevant users
Speaker Bios: Dr. Angela Bryan is currently the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation Liaison at the University of West Florida. She has many years of experience in higher education both as faculty and as an administrator with a focus on curriculum, assessment, and improvement of student learning. Angela holds a Ph.D. in International Development and a Master of Science in Technology Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to her administrator role, she also serves as an adjunct instructor for UWF.
Carolyn Beamer has been with the University of West Florida since 2012, beginning her career in higher education in the Registrar’s Office. In 2019, she transitioned to the Institutional Effectiveness Office, where she has been actively contributing since. Carolyn holds a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) in Human Performance Technology from UWF, earned in 2018, and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Florida State University, completed in 2000. In addition to her administrative role, she serves as an adjunct instructor for the Instructional Design and Technology Department at UWF.
Utilizing Smartsheet to Collect Assessment Data
Kalyn Diaz, Manager of Academic Operations
Dr. Angela Wallace, Senior Director of Curriculum Design and Assessment
Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences
April 2, 2025
3pm-4:30pm ET / 2am-3:30pm CT / 1pm-2:30pm MT / 12pm-1:30pm PT
Description: This workshop focuses on creating a Smartsheet form to collect data for program learning outcomes (PLOs), incorporating logic to accommodate multiple hierarchies. Assumes some knowledge of Smartsheet.
Speaker Bios: Kalyn Diaz manages Academic Operations for the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Previously she has held positions in the School of Nursing and Financial Aid. She holds a Master of Higher Education Administration degree from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in writing from California College of the Arts (CCA).
Dr. Wallace has 20+ years of professional experience in academia previously holding positions at Harvard University and MGH Institute of Health Professions. Prior to her experience in higher education, Dr. Wallace worked with financial and technical companies consulting and designing training materials for proprietary systems. She has published several book chapters, and has presented on various teaching and learning-related topics at national and regional conferences.
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