Institutional Assessment

Assessment of Student Learning : Strategic and Unit Planning : Unit and Program Review 

Office of Assessment and Accreditation Mission:

The Office of Assessment and Accreditation seeks to ensure that CSN accomplishes mission fulfillment by documenting achievement of (a) strategic plan indicators, (b) institutional effectiveness indicators, (c) student learning and achievement indicators, and (d) evidence-based actions for improvement.

The director facilitates this mission by:

  • Leading, supporting, and coordinating planning, assessment and evaluation, and improvement efforts at the campus, unit, and program levels
  • Documenting evidence of performance targets, metrics, and benchmarks
  • Reporting to internal and external stakeholders on student learning outcomes achievement, goal performance indicators, and program effectiveness at the campus, unit, and program levels.

The office has implemented a six step change model of assessment and improvement across all institution programs, units, and services.  The overarching focus across system units is a motto of Students First and Assurance of Student Learning.

Flow-Graphic of Assurance of Student Learning

All CSN campuses, units, services, and programs contribute to institutional effectiveness by participating in a regular system of assessment planning and reporting of data collected through direct and indirect measures of student learning, performance activities, or service delivery.  CSN uses a regular assessment system to collect, analyze, and evaluate data for achievement of outcomes, unit goals, and activities.  Documented evidence is used for decision-making in planning and budget request processes.

CSN participates in an integrated strategic planning system where all unit goals align with the CSN strategic plan and Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) strategic goals.  Assessment evidence is used to inform decision-making, improvement actions, resource allocation, and determine mission fulfillment.  The assessment system is divided into four data collection units: Academic Affairs, Academic Support, Student Support, and Institutional Support.  All units report evidence supporting achievement of strategic plan and institutional effectiveness indicators leading to CSN mission fulfillment.  CSN units are expected to align their assessment processes with two core guiding structures in higher education: the four essential learning outcomes of the American Association of Colleges and Universities Liberal Arts for America's Promise (LEAP) Initiative, and six standards and learning outcome domains of the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in Higher Education.

Related Links:

Accreditation

Institutional Research


Questions about institutional assessment processes can be directed to:

Sharon "Shari" Peterson, PhD, RDH
Accreditation Liaison Officer
Director- Office of Institutional Assessment
3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. C2626F
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 651-4263
Contact Us
Students First logo
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING

At CSN, assessment of student learning occurs at the course, program/major, and general education levels.

Student Learning Outcome Assessment TimelineGeneral Education AssessmentProgram & Course Level AssessmentResources & Training
July 1 - Aug. 30 
Update/Review assessment plan for current year
General Education Plans and Reports

Academic Assessment Plans and Reports

Resources
September 1 - May 30
Collect data on student learning outcomes
 Course Student Learning Outcome ReportingCSN Glossary of Terms
June 1 - July 1
Analyze  data and develop action plans for improvement
  WATERMARK TRAINING-
Assessment Planning and Reporting
No later than November 1 of next academic year: report assessment findings and report on completed action plans for improvement in Taskstream (note this date will change to July 1 after Fall 2022)  
STRATEGIC AND UNIT PLANNING

CSN has implemented unit planning for all executive, institutional support, student support, academic support, and academic units (Schools and Departments).  Unit planning components consist of a unit mission, goals, strategies, effectiveness measures, and action items.  Unit planning is updated annually and modified as necessary based on assessment evidence from the previous academic year.  Annually the CSN president in conjunction with the Office of Assessment and Accreditation conducts an evaluation of unit plans using "show-n-tell" (SNT) presentations from each unit plan manager.  The synergistic experience allows collaboration within and across units to communicate priorities and partnership opportunities.

All unit plans are published for college-wide viewing in the folders below.

Integrated Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning
Unit Planning
Unit Plan Training
Integrated Strategic Planning PolicyCSN Strategic Plan 2019 - 2024Plans and ReportsWATERMARK TRAINING-
Unit Planning and Reporting
Strategic Planning Information Page Annual Indicators Report 
PROGRAM (Unit) REVIEWS
Academic Year Unit Reviews Academic Program Reviews
2018-2019 School of Health Science
2019-2020 

Associate of Arts

Associate of Science

Associate of General Science

2020-2021 

School of Business, Hospitality, and Public Service

School of Education, Behavior, and Social Service

2021-2022 Department of Business
2022- 2023 Academic Affairs 

School of Arts and Letters

2023-2024

Institutional Support & Executive Units

School of Science and Mathematics

2024-2025 Student Affairs

School of Advanced and Applied Technology

2025-2026Academic Affairs

School of Health Science

2026-2027

Institutional Support & Executive Units

School of Education, Behavioral, and Social Sciences
2027-2028Student AffairsSchool of Business, Hospitality & Public Service