A practical, comprehensive manual for assessment design and implementation Assessment in Student Affairs, Second Edition offers a contemporary look at the foundational elements and practical application of assessment in student affairs. Higher education administration is increasingly called upon to demonstrate organizational effectiveness and engage in continuous improvement based on information generated through systematic inquiry. This book provides a thorough primer on all stages of the assessment process. From planning to reporting and beyond, you'll find valuable assessment strategies to help you produce meaningful information and improve your program. Combining and updating the thoroughness and practicality of Assessment in Student Affairs and Assessment Practice in Student Affairs, this new edition covers design of assessment projects, ethical practice, student learning outcomes, data collection and analysis methods, report writing, and strategies to implement change based on assessment results. Case studies demonstrate real-world application to help you clearly see how these ideas are used effectively every day, and end-of-chapter discussion questions stimulate deeper investigation and further thinking about the ideas discussed. The instructor resources will help you seamlessly integrate this new resource into existing graduate-level courses. Student affairs administrators understand the importance of assessment, but many can benefit from additional direction when it comes to designing and implementing evaluations that produce truly useful information. This book provides field-tested approaches to assessment, giving you a comprehensive how-to manual for demonstrating and improving the work you do every day. * Build your own assessment to demonstrate organizational effectiveness * Utilize quantitative and qualitative techniques and data * Identify metrics and methods for measuring student learning * Report and implement assessment findings effectively Accountability and effectiveness are the hallmarks of higher education administration today, and they are becoming the metrics by which programs and services are evaluated. Strong assessment skills have never been more important. Assessment in Student Affairs gives you the knowledge base and skill set you need to shine a spotlight on what you and your organization are able to achieve.

The bestselling student affairs text, updated for today's evolving campus Student Services is the classic comprehensive text for graduate students in student affairs, written by top scholars and practitioners in the field. Accessible and theoretically grounded, this book reflects the realities of contemporary practice in student affairs. This new sixth edition has been updated throughout to align with current scholarship, and expanded with four new chapters on student development, crisis management, programming, and applications. Twenty new authors join the roster of expert contributors, bringing new perspective on critical issues such as ethical standards, campus culture, psychosocial development, student retention, assessment and evaluation, and much more. End-of-chapter questions help reinforce the material presented, and unique coverage of critical theoretical perspectives, counseling and helping skills, advising, leadership, environmental theories, and other useful topics make this book a foundational resource for those preparing for a student affairs career. The student affairs staff has the responsibility for a vast array of services and support roles for students on every type of campus. This book provides a thorough overview of the field's many facets, with invaluable real-world insight from leading practitioners. * Understand the theoretical bases of development, learning, identity, and change * Delve into the organizational frameworks vital to any institution * Learn the historical context of higher education and the student affairs role * Master essential competencies including professionalism, supervision, crisis management, and more As colleges and universities offer more and more services to an increasingly diverse student population, the responsibility for these programs falls to student affairs educators. The role requires a broad skill set, and conceptual grounding in a number of disciplines. Student Services provides the most complete overview of the foundations, philosophies, ethics, and theories that guide today's student affairs professional.

Praise for Assessment Methods for Student Affairs

"Any student affairs practitioners who are serious about demonstrating that their programs and services make a difference must read this book. After reading the manuscript, I committed to myself to buy a copy of this book for each of the twenty-five departments in our organization. The contents of this book will offer guidance to help student affairs leaders identify appropriate methods to document and explain the outcomes of our work."
--Larry D. Roper, vice provost for student affairs and interim dean, Liberal Arts, Oregon State University

"If you want to do better assessment, read this book. Wisdom from more than thirty years of assessment experience is condensed into practical advice, selected case studies, and superb guidelines for the mechanics of doing assessment well. After reading this book, you will design better assessment projects; collect, analyze, and report data more effectively; and your colleagues will act on the results. Oh, and your institution will improve as well."
--Gary R. Hanson, senior research and policy analyst, the University of Texas System

"Assessment Methods for Student Affairs is filled with useful advice for any student affairs professional engaged in selecting and implementing assessment methods in his or her practice. The case study examples allow readers to follow practical decision-making steps involved in selecting and applying methods. In addition, the steps for implementation are clearly stated and, if followed, will most likely save many practitioners from mistakes they may have otherwise easily and understandably made."
--Marilee J. Bresciani, associate professor, Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education, and co-director, Center for Educational Leadership, Innovation, and Policy, San Diego State University