Planning: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

The importance of planning to institutional effectiveness is recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in its 2024 Principles of Accreditation, which state the following expectations:

Section 7.1:

The institution engages in ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation processes that (a) focus on institutional quality and effectiveness and (b) incorporate a systematic review of institutional goals and outcomes consistent with its mission. (Institutional Planning) [Core Requirement]

Assessment is an integral part of Institutional Effectiveness at NKU. It provides evidence for the strategic planning efforts and efficiencies.

WEAVE Login

Assessment Milestones	Key Dates
Assessment Training/Refresher Session for administrative divisions/units provided by PIR	August Convocation Week
Phase I: Planning --- Completed	Deadline: October 15
Mid-Cycle Internal Review PIR will review assessment plans and provide feedback on content: Goals, Objectives, Supported Initiatives, Measures, and Targets	Begins: January 15
Phase III: Analysis --- Completed	Deadline: September 15
End-of-Cycle Internal Review PIR will review assessment plans and provide feedback on content: Findings, Analysis of Findings, and Action Plans	Begins: September 15

Assessment Milestones

Key Dates

Assessment Training/Refresher Session for administrative divisions/units provided by PIR

August

Convocation Week

Phase I: Planning --- Completed

Deadline:

October 15

Mid-Cycle Internal Review

PIR will review assessment plans and provide feedback on content:

Goals, Objectives, Supported Initiatives, Measures, and Targets

Begins:

January 15

Phase III: Analysis --- Completed

Deadline:

September 15

End-of-Cycle Internal Review

PIR will review assessment plans and provide feedback on content:

Findings, Analysis of Findings, and Action Plans

Begins:

September 15

Assessment Cycle Schedule

August - October

Phase I: Planning

Attend Assessment Training/Refresher Session provided by PIR
Assessment Leads facilitate division/unit-level discussions, involving VP’s, unit managers, and other assessment contributors
Create or copy over Assessment Plan in WEAVE
Set Goals and create Objectives based on goals, establish links to Supported Initiatives
Define Measures and establish Targets
Add content to WEAVE and set status to 'In Progress'

November - April

Phase II: Assessment

Determine assessment methods
Define assessment/performance criteria
Continue division/unit level assessment discussions to maintain assessment focus
Collect data

May - September

Phase III: Analysis

Evaluate progress toward meeting division-level objectives
Post Findings in Weave under each Target
Answer the Analysis of Finding under each Finding
Include Action Plans, where applicable
Finalized content to WEAVE and set status to 'Complete'

September - October

Phase IV: Improvement with Action Plans

Discuss results with division and unit administrators
Closing the Look ---- Intentionally use assessment results to inform future actions, such as decision-making, continuous quality improvement, and resource allocation

Begin planning process for next assessment cycle

Links to Additional NKU Assessment Resources

Planning and Institutional Research
- Assessment Cycle Schedule
- WEAVE Training (Canvas): To obtain access to a course, submit a PIR Request.
- Assessment Rubric
- Assessment Elements and Definitions
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Planning & Institutional Research

Planning