I’ve always been a slow adopter. Uggs? Never had them. The curly plastic hair tie? I was gifted one once. I donated it. Pickleball? Haven’t played a single game.
So every time I hear that I should be using AI or ChatGPT at work, it’s not that I roll my eyes… but late adoption of trends is how…
From horse-drawn carriage to advanced data visualization tools: Key considerations to keep in mind when designing a dashboard
Shaun Boren, EdD
The term “dashboard” came from a board at the front of a horse-drawn carriage that blocked mud flying up from when the horse was dashing.
It starts with strategy: Intentional goal setting, strategic planning, & pickleball
Sophie Tullie, Blog Team write and Director of Assessment, Data Analytics, & Research at the University of Delaware
Hello SAAL Blog readers! Here is the next installment of our conversation series getting to kn…
AI and Assessment in Student Affairs
Natasha A. Jankowski and Gavin W. Henning
While most people in higher education have likely heard of generative AI, it is useful to start any discussion of it with a brief introduction to what it is and why it is causing such a stir. Generative AI is a …
The Committee for Community Development and Engagement created the inaugural SAAL Awards. The purpose of the SAAL awards is to recognize the assessment work of members that advances the field of Student Affairs assessment and furthers the mission and values of SAAL. In total, we received 29 nominat…
Unpacking History to Understand the Future of Student Affairs Assessment
Sydney Kayne, Blog Team writer and Assessment & Evaluation Analyst at University of Colorado Boulder
For many student affairs divisions across the United States, co-curricular assessment is a practice that feels like it’…
This year, the Journal of Student Affairs Inquiry (JSAI) Editorial Team has engaged in an exciting process of visioning and planning. First and foremost, we have given considerable thought to the journal’s unique contribution to advancing the field of student affairs assessment. Second, we have expl…
Photo by Matt Bango on StockSnap
In the ever evolving landscape of higher education, organizations such as Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL) play a pivotal role in shaping the student experience as well as for those engaged in assessment. This year, SAAL has taken a bold step forward …
In an age where information is abundant and storage is cheap, it's tempting to equate volume with value. This is especially true in academic institutions, where the pursuit of knowledge is relentless and often equated with progress. But there's a stark difference between collecting data for the …
Hello SAAL Blog readers! My name is Sophie Tullier and I recently joined the SAAL blog team after starting a new role as the Director of Assessment, Data Analytics, and Research at the University of Delaware. Being new to the Director role, I thought it would be a great time to reach out to others w…
The SAAL Board continues to make progress on implementing our strategic plan and building connections and partnerships to enhance our community. After large updates to the bylaws last year to align with our new organizational structure, the SAAL board has identified additional updates that will pro…
Graduate school is a transformative journey, providing students with the opportunity to delve deeper into their chosen fields, cultivate skills, and make valuable connections. For graduate students engaging in assessment within a division of student affairs, a unique set of skills and training is of…
In an exciting development, two prominent organizations in the higher education space, The Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) and Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL) have joined together to enhance the landscape of higher education through collaboration and shared resources. This c…
On day one of a typical Stats 101 course, your subject’s introduction likely revolves around these foundational concepts: the pursuit of statistical significance and generalizability. We’re taught, fifteen minutes in, that good data must meet specific criteria, including: an n > 30, p-value < 0…
Have you ever had a light bulb go off in your head after a couple years of doing the same thing? That’s what happened to us, and ultimately, what led us to creating something that turned out to be a valuable experience.
Our assessment office was roughly two years old and housed fi…
In a previous blog post, I recommended assessment professionals develop four documents that can help to guide their work. The guidance was meant to focus our efforts, especially as we get pulled in a million directions. More to the point, these documents also offer a consistent source of reflection …
The Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL) has been hard at play this summer. You can keep up with all our meeting notes and minutes. We are definitely leading the charge during a very tense time in higher education where campuses are being forced to chan…
Surveys play a pivotal role in assessment, allowing us to connect with a large number of students simultaneously to gain valuable insights into their needs, experiences, perspectives, and knowledge. When intentionally designed and utilized, surveys provide powerful data that can drive continuous imp…
Traveling to Kansas City for the NASPA Student Success in Higher Education (SSHE) Conference in late June, I was reminded by numerous people that “Barbeque Sauce” was what I should be seeking during my stay. I wouldn’t say I’m a BBQ lover, but as a diehard Ted Lasso fan, I do enjoy the reference. …
