{"id":2851,"date":"2024-09-25T10:34:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T15:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/studentaffairs\/?page_id=2851"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:38:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:38:10","slug":"assessment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/studentaffairs\/assessment\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Learning, Assessment, and Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

Student Learning, Assessment, and Planning<\/h1><\/header>\n\n\n

Student Learning, Assessment, and Planning provides vision for retention and student success initiatives, coordinates the Division\u2019s assessment efforts, and leads the Divisional strategic planning and reporting processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Division of Student Affairs employs a comprehensive framework for planning, assessing, and reporting<\/strong> to measure the effectiveness of its programs and activities, support the Strategic Plan, and identify opportunities for improvement. By collecting and analyzing data, the Division ensures alignment with strategic goals and refines its approach to enhance student success. In collaboration with Academic Affairs, co-curricular and curricular assessment efforts are integrated to create a cohesive campus-wide evaluation of student learning outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Progress is documented through a robust reporting structure. Annual Reports<\/strong> summarize overall achievements, while Special Reports<\/strong> focus on specific issues. Additionally, Individual Unit Reports<\/strong> offer detailed insights into unit-level activities and assessments, ensuring transparency and accountability. Strategic planning is embedded into these processes, enabling units to establish measurable goals that align with the Division\u2019s mission. This structured approach fosters consistent evaluation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement across the Division.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n

Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n

The Strategic Plan defines the Division of Student Affairs’ key role in supporting students and furthering the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Developed through extensive planning and feedback from more than 100 Student Affairs staff members, this plan has led to the establishment of goals focused on operations, students, and employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nStrategic Plan (PDF)<\/a>\n\n\n\nMission, Vision, & Values<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Operational Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Belonging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Develop and improve policies, organizational structures, programs, and services to foster and sustain an inclusive campus community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champion: Director of Advocacy and Engagement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committee: Equity and Justice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Engagement Part 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Create intentional opportunities for students to make meaningful connections to other students, faculty, staff, and the greater Milwaukee community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champion: Director of Athletics & AVC\/Dean of Students<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committee: Campus Life<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Engagement Part 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Maximize student engagement, from point of entry to graduation, in a distinctly 51ÁÔÆæ experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champion: Director of Athletics & AVC\/Dean of Students<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committee: Campus Life<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Learning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Structure and sequence learning and development opportunities outside the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champion: Director of Student Learning, Assessment and Planning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committee: Student Learning and Development<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Wellbeing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Provide high-quality holistic support services that are easily accessible and available to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champions: Executive Director of SHAW<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committee: Campus Cares sub-team<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Efficient & Effective Operations Part 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Enhance employee development by investing in centralized onboarding and training, regular professional development, and coordinated opportunities that support employee development and morale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champions: Vice Chancellor for DSA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committee: Staff Engagement and Development<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Efficient & Effective Operations Part 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Collect, evaluate, and share data regularly to reach informed decisions and link processes for assessment, evaluation of operations, planning and budgeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champions: Director of Student Learning, Assessment and Planning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committee: Assessment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Student Goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Connect<\/strong><\/div>
Panthers engage with the university community, embrace new people and diverse perspectives, and express their authentic selves.<\/div>
Panthers connect to their peers, faculty and staff, and the larger Milwaukee community to help shape a holistic understanding of themselves, their passions, and goals, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives. Panthers seek and contribute to communities that foster acceptance and meaningful connections.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Prepare<\/strong><\/div>
Panthers build a well-rounded set of skills, practical knowledge, and experiences to ensure they are career-ready, community-minded, and well-prepared to participate in an ever-changing future.<\/div>
Panthers proactively develop skills in communication, critical thinking, collaboration, professionalism, and leadership to ensure they are ready for life after college.\u202f Panthers hone these skills and additional Panther Edge traits through engagement in personal and professional development opportunities. As they apply these practical skills in their present life, they are also investing in their future.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Thrive<\/strong><\/div>
Panthers thrive as they pursue personal growth and well-being, build resilience, and embrace social responsibility.<\/div>
To thrive is to grow and develop in healthy ways. Panthers who thrive become increasingly self-aware, knowledgeable, compassionate, and skilled to improve their well-being and actively contribute to the well-being of others. Thriving Panthers request and offer support when needed. They engage in and reflect on opportunities outside the classroom that help them to discover talents, enhance personal strengths and abilities, explore interests, and build resilience. Panthers who thrive develop a sense of meaning and purpose.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Employee Goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
All staff feel respected and valued.<\/div>
When staff work in an inclusive, safe, and open environment where all thoughts, ideas, beliefs, cultures, and identities are welcome, respected, and appreciated, morale increases, and creativity and innovation thrive.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Staff are empowered to prioritize student success.<\/div>
When staff are engaged and believe their work is meaningful, they take ownership of their role in student success as well as the success of the 51ÁÔÆæ Community.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Staff thrive personally and professionally.<\/div>
Continued growth through support, professional development, and networking is vital to the wellbeing of all staff.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n

Curricular Approach to Student Affairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The curricular approach is a methodology for identifying what we want students to experience outside of the classroom, organize what we do based upon these goals, and provide roadmaps for students to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, by intentionally designing and sequencing programming and events (that align with our student goals), we will provide students with more visible pathways for engagement and skill development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this relate to the Strategic Plan?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Curricular Approach is the methodology that the Division of Student Affairs will use to help reach Operational Goal Four: Structure and sequence learning and development opportunities outside the classroom.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the benefits other institutions have seen from this process?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n