Assessment Redesign Institute (ARI)

The office of IEA offers Assessment Redesign Institute opportunities for both faculty and staff participating in assessment at APSU. 

Staff ARI

Faculty ARI

Staff ARI

The Staff Assessment Redesign Institute (ARI) is a professional development program that focuses on developing meaningful administrative unit outcomes, crafting effective methods to measure success, and "closing the loop" by using this process to inform changes and leverage strengths. Stay tuned to our website for more information about upcoming staff ARI events!

The Staff ARI is open to any non-degree unit interested in developing their assessment plan for Administrative Unit Outcomes. We are limiting participation to 10 units, with 2 representatives from each unit participating. Participation is on a first come, first served basis. 

The Summer 2025 Staff ARI will be held during the week of May 12-16. This event will be held over four days with the following format: 

• 1.5 hour sessions each day; the final day will be a working lunch meeting with boxed lunches provided
• Out of class assignments = approximately 3 hours spread out over the 4 days, with the final day focused on participant presentations and reflections
• Total time commitment = 9 hours

Why should staff participate in the Assessment Redesign Institute? 

The IE Process is designed to strengthen units and their process, but assessment may be a relatively new venture for many units or the individuals leading these efforts. Participating in the Staff ARI will allow units to better understand the why behind the assessment process and become stronger and more effective as a result. Individual participants will strengthen their assessment knowledge and learn how to document professional success, both critical skills to help staff develop and demonstrate their effectiveness as employees. 

Apply for the Staff ARI by completing the form found here. 

Faculty ARI 

The Assessment Redesign Institute (ARI) provides faculty the opportunity to review and improve their existing program-level assessment plans in a focused, supportive environment. 

NEW THIS YEAR: The Summer 2025 Assessment Redesign Institute (ARI) will focus on helping programs get an early start on the new Multi-Year Assessment Planning process that will align with the program review cycle and integrate with program accreditation requirements. Please read the below information carefully before applying here. 

Changes from Previous Faculty ARIs:

• Separate content for programs with accreditation and those that participate in program review.
• Shorter timeline - The ARI will occur over two weeks, June 16-27, 2025 (see below for more details).
• Focus will be on:
  • Developing a multi-year assessment plan that follows the program's review cycle/accreditation requirements;
  • Aligning outcomes with the Degree Qualifications Program (DQP) and using the curriculum map to select appropriate measures (and exploring how that works with program review or program accreditation requirements);
  • The components of the new Annual Program Updates that programs will submit to IEA each fall; and
  • Previewing elements of the new Watermark Planning & Self-Study software that will be used for tracking assessment plans and submitting the Annual Program Update (required beginning in 2026).

Participants and Facilitators:

• Participants must be the assessment coordinator for a program.
• Maximum of 6 participants, one participant per department.
• Each participant will receive a $750 stipend, if eligible. 
• The program will be facilitated by Dr. Allie Michael, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment. Dr. Charlie Gonzalez, IE COmmittee Lead Co-Chair, will serve as a faculty mentor and advisor throughout the ARI. Dr. Amanda Wornhoff and Dr. Kyle Christmas will provide additional support for participants. 

Dates and Time Commitments: 

• The program will be held June 16-27, 2025 and will be fully virtual via Microsoft Teams. The schedule is found below.
• The synchronous breakout sessions will be planned based on participants' availability, as much as possible. 
• In addition to the synchronous sessions, additional time will be required to complete the ARI activities as a program team, including prior to the first synchronous session. The minimum time commitment is estimated to be 9-10 hours per week, but this will vary based on program needs. 

Participant Expectations

• Participate in all aspects of the two-week ARI in June 2025.
• If available, share experience and perspectives during the training session for Assessment Coordinators at the Faculty Conference and Annual Meeting in August 2025.
• Provide input and feedback on the roll-out of Multi-Year Assessment Planning following the ARI. 

For more information regarding the ARI, please contact Allie Michael, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment (michaela@apsu.edu) or Charlie Gonzalez, Lead Co-Chair, IE Committee (gonzalezc@apsu.edu). 

Why should a program apply for the ARI?

• Any degree or certificate program that is interested in getting a head start on the new Multi-Year Assessment Planning process is invited to apply. However, the ARI may be of particular interest to:
  • Programs that just completed a program review or that have a program review next year
  • Programs with accreditation who are interested in more closely integrating the IE process with program accreditation requirements
  • Programs with recent program or course-level changes that may require significant adjustments to the IE plan
  • Programs that have received feedback from the IE Committee, an external program reviewer, or a specialized accrediting body that suggests a need for improvement in the program's use of assessment for improvement
  • Programs that wish to make their assessment process more meaningful, practical, or valuable

What are the benefits of participating in the ARI?

• Receive individualized support with the new Multi-Year Assessment Planning process
• Leave the institute with an outline for the program's multi-year assessment planning that can be shared with your colleagues and implemented on a realistic timeline
• Have an opportunity to provide feedback and input on the roll-out of the new Multi-Year Assessment Planning process
• Learn from a supportive group of colleagues in other programs
• Discover ways to make assessment activities more meaningful and practical in your program’s context
• Receive individualized support from IE Planning Group members that will continue beyond the ARI summer session
• Participants will receive recognition for their ARI work at the Faculty Conference and Annual Meeting and in the IEA newsletter.
• Participants will receive a stipend for their work and leadership in assessment, if eligible.