Director of Assessment and Accreditation

Compensation Range:

Position Summary

The Director of Assessment and Accreditation drives the strategy and planning for assessment of academic program effectiveness and student learning in the School/College. This high-impact position serves as the point of contact between the schools and university committees engaged with instructional research and departments involved with academic assessment and accreditation. A subject matter expert with a comprehensive understanding of Assessment and Accreditation, this position formulates and implements critical activities supporting assessment of academic program effectiveness and student learning. In collaboration with the Curriculum Director, faculty and non-faculty Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), this position prepares new or revised program, specialization and course proposals. This Director of Assessment and Accreditation serves as a measure of quality control in reviewing curriculum development template drafts to ensure student learning can be effectively measured and with an eye toward diversity, equity and inclusion. This role also facilitates approval of new or revised program, specialization and course proposals throughout the governance process.

Essential Functions:

LEADERSHIP

• Provide critical strategic leadership in the ongoing planning and strategy for assessment of academic program effectiveness and student learning in the schools as aligned to organizational goals.
• Serve as Subject Matter Technical Expert (SMTE) for the School/College in this area, and also as point of contact between the School/College and University committees engaged with instructional research and departments involved with academic assessment and accreditation.
• Direct quality control procedures to assure collection of assessment information for the School/College.
• Manage the completion of annual assessment reports and full program reviews, including faculty involvement, internal and external review.
• Mentor and guide faculty in their role in curriculum development which may include the creation of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs), Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs), Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), content management, etc.
• Communicate student assessment results with School/College personnel, administration, and faculty.
• Coordinate use of assessment findings to support continuous improvement.
• Act as the primary point of support to Dean regarding accreditations and state approvals, including preparation of self-studies and Q/A reports.
• Collaborate with academic program directors/leaders to establish standards for meeting programmatic accreditation standards.
• Implement tools and processes for assessment specific to programmatic accreditation needs if applicable.
• Collaborate with leaders to determine faculty training needs related to assessment procedures.
• Enhance faculty development around assessment by developing and delivering training and through the creation of faculty-facing support materials.
• Collaborate with program leadership to develop and revise program learning outcomes and assessment maps.
• Manage the development and overall quality control of scoring instruments (rubrics), surveys or other assessment tools for the School/College.
• Act as the School/College’s director and primary point of contact in relation to the use of the university’s assessment management tool and assessment dashboards.
• Serve as a member of the School’s Leadership Team and collaborate on School projects as needed
• Collaborate with other Assessment and Accreditation Directors and AVPs for Accreditation and Assessment to continuously discuss best practices, improve processes and seek opportunities for growth/development in and across schools.
• Complete special projects at the behest of the Dean or Provost.

ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT

• Responsible for the strategic formulation and implementation of activities supporting assessment of academic program effectiveness and student learning.
• Works closely with the Director of Curriculum Development, Office of Accreditation and Assessment, Office of Strategy and Innovation, Academic Program Directors, and faculty to coordinate assessment elements in the development of new programs and courses and the redevelopment of existing ones.
• Coordinates School-based or College-based assessment initiatives and projects under the direction of the Dean.
• Produce reports as needed based on SRS reports, or assessment results collected by and maintained in the assessment management system, dashboards, or by any other means used by National University to collect data which can be used to improve the student learning experience.
• Maintain quarterly updates for the strategic plan.
• Notify school staff and faculty of changes in assessment-related processes.
• Facilitate information gathering from stakeholders (students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, etc.) by developing and deploying ad-hoc surveys.

INVOLVEMENT IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

• Work closely with the Curriculum Director, faculty and non-faculty SMEs in preparation of new or revised program, specialization and course proposals.
• Work closely with the Curriculum Director to plan for assessment needs affecting courses.
• Serve as a measure of quality control in reviewing curriculum development template drafts to ensure student learning can be effectively measured and with an eye toward diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Collaborate with SMEs and Instructional Design team members to develop and approve grading rubrics and faculty teaching guides as needed.

GOVERNANCE

• Facilitate approval of new or revised program, specialization and course proposals throughout the governance process.
• Ensure assessment changes follow school level governance processes.
• Manage assessment changes through the University governance process.
• Manage assessment changes through the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) or other programmatic accreditors’ review process.
• Maintain accurate record keeping in the University approved content management system.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree required in related field or, equivalent combination of education and experience. Doctorate preferred.
• 12+ years of experience with higher education academic assessment theory and practice.
• Experience with working in higher education, including graduate online education or various modalities offered to adult learners.
• Experience using statistical analysis.
• Experience in using assessment management systems.

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Skill in collaborating with multiple constituencies to conduct assessment and research.
• Awareness of current trends and directions in assessment in higher education.
• Maintain proficiency in programmatic accreditation standards and requirements.
• Experience with higher education academic assessment theory and practice.
• Experience with working in higher education, including graduate online education or various modalities offered to adult learners.
• Experience in using assessment management systems.
• Proficient in research methods and design.
• Ability to participate as an active team member of the team and organization and work toward a common goal. Contributes fully to the team effort and plays an integral part in the smooth running of teams without necessarily taking the lead.
• Accepts personal accountability, proactively seeks resolution for personal limitations head-on; and supports honesty and respect towards others, the company and oneself.
• Actively seeks to influence, build effective relationships and gain alignment with peers, functional partners and/or external partners to accomplish business objectives.
• Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas and innovations; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/processes. Ability to generate and/or recognize imaginative or creative solutions that generate successful outcomes.
• Working knowledge, principles and practices of office management/systems within a higher education environment, preferred. Demonstrates an understanding of underlying organizational issues.
• Ability to drive towards achieving measurable and challenging goals to support organizational success. Demonstrates the ability to focus on achieving results consistent with the organization’s objectives. As a leader, develops goals based on the organization’s vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individual of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Work independently and foster a cooperative spirit within a large and/or small team of diverse cultures, while working in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and frequently changing priorities.
• Intermediate use of computers and Microsoft Office Suite Applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook. Experience using Student Information System (SIS) such as SOAR/Peoplesoft systems.

Location: Remote, USA

Travel: No Travel

Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies. Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family. For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 4,500 faculty and staff and serves over 45,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our student population, including adult learners and working professionals.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University.