The mission of Student Life Assessment, Improvement, and Research (AIR) is to lead outcomes-based assessment in the co-curricular setting, support evidence-based decision-making, and promote a culture focused on the continuous improvement of programs and services.

Goals

  • Make assessment as accessible as possible for student affairs practitioners
  • Meaningfully tell the story of the Division of Student Life
  • Collaborate within and outside the Division to support student success

Questions? Contact Teri Schnelle, Associate Director for Assessment, Improvement, and Research: teri-schnelle@uiowa.edu.

Shared statement of assessment values and expectations

Purposeful Inquiry

Assessment is a tool for meaningful reflection and strategic decision-making. It enables us to ask critical questions about our work and its impact on students.

Transparency & Integrity

We commit to honest, ethical, and transparent assessment practices that build trust among students, staff, and stakeholders.

Improvement Over Perfection

While celebrating successes is important, our primary purpose is improvement. Assessment should focus on student learning, growth, and responsiveness to emerging needs—not just on showcasing achievements.

Shared Responsibility

Assessment is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, regardless of role or title, contribute to a culture of learning and improvement.

Action-Oriented Improvement

Assessment is not an end in itself—it informs action. We use findings to adapt programs, services, and environments to better meet student needs.

Assessment Cycles

Departments and units will engage in regular assessment cycles, including goal-setting, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Decision Insights

Units will use assessment findings to inform programmatic and operational decisions, demonstrating responsiveness to student feedback and institutional data.

Data-Driven Growth

Units will use data not only to highlight successes but to identify areas for growth, adapt programs, and respond to student needs.

Strategic Goals

Units will use assessment findings to inform programmatic and operational decisions, demonstrating responsiveness to student feedback and institutional data.

Strategic Prioritization

Assessment will inform strategic prioritization, helping us phase out ineffective programs and concentrate staff expertise where it most advances our mission.

Clear Communication

Assessment results will be communicated clearly and consistently to stakeholders, including students, staff, and campus partners.