Research, Assessment & Institutional Effectiveness

Mission

The mission of the Office of Research, Assessment, and Institutional Effectiveness (RAIE) is to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive assessment program to promote external research funding, to uphold ethical human research programs, as well as evaluate the institution's effectiveness in meeting its goals and objectives, as well as ensuring compliance with all accreditation and regulation standards and requirements. 

Objectives

The Office of Research, Assessment, and Institutional Effectiveness is committed to:

• Promote and manage external funding of effective and ethical research.
• Review and manage human research protocols that are effective, ethical, and aligned with the university mission.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive assessment program that aligns with the strategic goals of the institution.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve institutional effectiveness in response to WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accreditation standards and requirements.
• Oversee the collection and analysis of data related to student learning outcomes, institutional effectiveness, and academic program review.
• Collaborate with academic departments and other institutional stakeholders to ensure that assessment data is used to inform decision-making and improve institutional effectiveness, including areas related to inclusive excellence.
• Serve as a resource to faculty, students, and staff on matters related to: human subjects research, external grant funding, assessment, accreditation, and institutional effectiveness.

RAIE Updates

• We integrated Watermark’s Student Learning and Licensure with Canvas to collect student learning outcomes (performance of students on signature assignments such as final exams and final papers.)
• We started using Watermark’s Planning and Self-Study to develop accreditation and assessment reports for academic and co-curricular departments.
• We started preparing the self study for the re-accreditation of the university by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Institutional Assessment

Palo Alto University consistently engages in evidence-based efforts to help the institution understand, promote, and improve academic effectiveness and student success. Below are institutional assessment efforts at PAU:

• Institutional Learning Goals
• Assessment Committee
• Annual Assessment Summit
• Accreditation
• Academic Program Review
• Training & Resources