Skip to main content

Assessment in Action Conference

WMU Assessment in Action was an assessment conference held annually on the main campus of Western Michigan University from the years 2010 through 2022. The conference provided our campus community, and beyond, with a place to come to learn more about assessment of student learning, to collaborate with colleagues on assessment topics, and to recognize and reward assessment accomplishments. Through this yearly conference, we were able to provide an outside perspective on assessment of student learning that helped us all to expand our thinking, and develop new perspectives in this area. You will find the handouts, presentations, programs, and resources from this annual event represented here. In 2023, in order to make the professional development offerings more accessible, and to better meet the needs expressed by our community members, we moved from an all-day conference to a new series of sessions entitled, Measures of Success Educator Impact Series. It is our intent that this series has the same focus on outcomes assessment and collaboration, but offered in a format where all can participate and continue to build their assessment toolbox. You can find the series proceedings and recordings on the following URL: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/assessment_series/

Presentations from 2022 2022

Anti-deficit Perspectives on Institutional Diversity Efforts, EJ Edney

Assessment in Action: TRIO Student Success Program, Candace Faistenhammer Bracey and Spencer Myers

2022 Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

In Their Own Words: Using Empathy Mapping to Create Inclusive Learning Experiences, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

Level Up: Aligning Assessment Approach with the Phases of Knowledge Transfer, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

WMU Assessment in Action Conference: Opening Panel Discussion, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

WMU Gateways to Completion Program Panel, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

WMUx Makers Lab: Designing and Measuring Tranformational Outcomes, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

WMU Assessment Mini Grant Panel Part I, Karen Stokes Chapo

WMU Assessment Mini Grant Panel Part II, Karen M. Stokes Chapo

Presentations from 2021 2021

Holistic Assessment for Continuous Improvement in Student Success Programs, Lauren Carney, Vun Doubblestein, Nate Nguyen, Sue Murray, and Liliana Salas

How to Engage and Assess Learning Through Discussion in Any Modality, Jef Fisher, Megan Hess, Alyssa Moon, Matt Strock, and Wendy Swalla

This is Not a Quiz: How Do We Create and Evaluate Authentic Assessments?, Jef Fisher, Megan Hess, Alyssa Moon, Matt Strock, and Wendy Swalla

Reshaping the Whole Story: Using Data to Enhance the FYE Experience for Students and Instructors, Adrienne Fraaza

Connecting Assessment Practice to Equity Work, Ciji Heiser

Using Data Visualization for Continuous Improvement, Ciji Heiser, Evan Heiser, and Ewa Urban

2021 Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

Opening Panel Discussion: Using Data for Continuous Improvement, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

Western Michigan University Assessment Fellows Grants: A Brief History, Featuring the 2019-20 Fellows Grant Recipients, Karen M. Stokes Chapo

Envisioning Ourselves as Educators: Practices for Student Affairs, Vicki Wise

Importance of Reflective, Collaborative and Transparent Practices to Close the Assessment Loop, Vicki Wise

Presentations from 2019 2019

Curriculum Mapping as a Path for Success, Susan L. Caulfield, David Paul, and Cynthia Visscher

Writing & Connecting Learning Outcomes across the Co-Curricular Environment, Marilyn Duke, Ciji Heiser, and Anthony Helms

2019 Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

Continuous Improvement in Academic Affairs, Jen Wells

Continuous Improvement in Student Affairs, Jen Wells

What's Your Assessment - Why?, Jen Wells

Presentations from 2018 2018

Using Elearning for Assessment, Katrina Davidson and Alyssa Moon

Integrating Formative and Summative: Assessment Approaches in Student Support Work, Ciji Heiser

"What is My Target?": Clarifying Student Learning Outcomes, Anthony Helms and David Paul

2018 Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

Creating Great Learning Experiences that Help Students Learn and Succeed, Linda Suskie

Why Are We Doing This?, Linda Suskie

Presentations from 2017 2017

Honing in on What to Measure, Kristen McKinney

Reconnecting with “Why” to Move Beyond Assessment Sticking Points, Kristen McKinney

Using Data to Tell Your Story, Kristen McKinney

Western Michigan University 2017 Assessment Conference, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

Assessment as Ally: Focusing on What Matters, Gloria Rogers

Defining Outcomes, Gloria Rogers

Transforming Data Into Information, Gloria Rogers

Presentations from 2016 2016

Writing Observable and Measurable Learning Outcomes, Eli Collins-Brown

Student Employment: Incorporating Learning on the Job, Kathy Collins

Student Learning Outcomes: Tools, Planning, and Contribution to Institutional Goals, Kathy Collins

Are We There Yet? Assessing Our Progress in Assessment, Katharine Cummings

Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference 2016, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

From Artifact to Assessment to Evaluation-Closing the Loop in Continuous Improvement, Julia Williams

Making Academic Change Happen-Any Way We Can?, Julia Williams

Presentations from 2015 2015

Academic Unit Assessment Panel, Betsy Aller, James Cousins, and Barbara Sagara

Using Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning, Amy Bentz

Writing Observable and Measurable Learning Objectives, Eli Collins-Brown

Student Support Unit Assessment Panel, Anne Lundquist, Kate Bates, Laura Darrah, and Dianna E. Sachs

Writing Your Student Support Unit Assessment Plan: Tips, Techniques, and Resources, Anne Lundquist and Cari Robertson

Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference 2015, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

Let's Talk About Assessment!, David S. Reinhold

Rubrics: The Good, the Great and the Awesome, David S. Reinhold

You've Collected Tons of Assessment Data, Now What?, David S. Reinhold

Assessment Resources: How Do I Find the Help I Need?, Karen Stokes Chapo

Presentations from 2014 2014

Beyond Satisfaction: Assessing (Learning and Other) Outcomes in Co-Curricular Areas, Kate Bates, Anne Lundquist, Cari Robertson, Ewa Urban, and Chris Voss

Assessment, Accreditation and Compliance: The Three Musketeers or the Three Stooges?, Jody Brylinsky

Instituting a Proactive Risk Assessment Model: The Promise and Peril of Predictive Approaches to Student Success, John Chew, Kevin Knutson, and Edwin A. Martini

Sharing the Experience of NACADA’s Assessment of Academic Advising Institute 2014, Laura Ciccantell, Kevin Knutson, and Lenore Yaeger

Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Day Conference 2014, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

How Mature is Your Assessment?, David S. Reinhold

Helpful and Reliable Assessment Resources, David S. Reinhold and Karen Stokes Chapo

It's Hard to Hit a Moving Target: Establishing Clear Learning Objectives, Diane Rogers

Presentations from 2013 2013

Highlighting Assessment Work of Student Support Units at Western Michigan University, Anne Lundquist, Ewa Urban, and Cari Robertson

WMU Assessment in Action Day Conference 2013: Session Descriptions, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

WMU Assessment in Action Days Conference 2013, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

Classroom Assessment, Departmental Assessment and Assessment for Student Support Units, Barbara E. Walvoord

Presentations from 2012 2012

Assessment to Promote Success in Graduate Education, Jeffrey A. Barney, Katharine Cummings, Lindsay Naokes, and Diane Rogers

How well are you Organized to Deliver and Evaluate the Learning that you Value?, Marilee J. Bresciani

What Learning do We Value within Our Institution?, Marilee J. Bresciani

Assessing Professional Behaviors, Carrick D. Craig

WMU Assessment in Action Day Conference 2012, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

The State of Assessment at WMU, David S. Reinhold

Presentations from 2011 2011

Foundations in Assessment, Mary Allen

General Education Assessment, Mary Allen

Rubric Development Workshop, Mary Allen

Assessment for Administrative and Student Affairs Units, Mary J. Allen

Assessing Professional Behaviors, Carrick D. Craig

WMU Assessment in Action Day Conference Program 2011, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

How to Say Yes to Assessment: Breaking Down Barriers, David S. Reinhold

Strategic Planning and Assessment, Sue Stapleton

Presentations from 2010 2010

Appreciating the “A” Word Putting A Plan in Action, Maira Bundza, Laura Darrah, and Brad Dennis

Extreme Makeover: Assessment Plans Edition, Katharine Cummings

Assessment for Improvement: Closing the Loop, Joni Jones and Kim Searing

Creating Clear Pathways: Assessing and Enhancing the First Year Experience at WMU, Jillian Kinzie

WMU Assessment in Action Day Conference Program 2010, Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies

Does a Linked First-Year Seminar and Undergraduate Career Exploration Course Influence the Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy and Transitional Success of Undecided Traditional First-Year Students at Western Michigan University, Glinda Rawls, Toni Woolfork-Barnes, and Lauren Frye

Tool Time: Assessment Tools Presentation, Sarah Summy