The objective of the comprehensive review is to conduct a holistic evaluation of a department’s programs, services, operations, and impact using professional standards and external feedback, with the goal of identifying strengths, addressing challenges, and aligning with institutional and divisional priorities.

Step 1: Preparation and Orientation

  • Initial Meeting: AIR staff meets with the department director to:
    • Confirm review dates
    • Identify the program review coordinator
    • Schedule orientation and planning meetings
  • Coordinator Role: The program review coordinator:
    • Serves as the primary liaison with the review team
    • Oversees the self-study process
    • Coordinates logistics for the site visit
    • Ensures timely communication with AIR and reviewers
  • Orientation Meeting: AIR staff and department leadership:
    • Review the guidelines and expectations
    • Select the appropriate standards (e.g., CAS or other professional standards)
    • Discuss the scope and focus of the review
    • Set a deadline for completing the program review charge

Comprehensive Review Timeline

This document provides a fillable version of the Comprehensive Review timeline to support departments in planning their program review cycle.

Step 2: Self-Study Report

Departments will complete a self-study that is a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation of the department’s operations, programs, and outcomes.

  • Framework: Departments use CAS standards or other relevant professional standards to structure the self-study.
  • Submission: The self-study is submitted to the review team at least one month prior to the site visit.

Step 3: External Review

External reviewers will be invited to provide feedback and recommendations.

Reviewer Selection: AIR and the department identify 2–3 external reviewers from peer or aspirational institutions, plus one internal reviewer from the University of Iowa (not affiliated with the department).

  • The department will suggest up to three external reviewers and one internal reviewer to serve on the program review committee. External reviewers should be experts in the field of the department under review and should be from aspirational institutions i.e., from departments at other institutions the department aspires to emulate. The internal reviewer should have expertise in the targeted area and should not be current or past departmental employees. The internal reviewer will provide context on the University of Iowa and the department under review for the external reviewers.
  • The departmental director and program review coordinator will submit a list of potential reviewers to the AIR staff member for review, including reviewer names, current position/employer, and rationale for their inclusion. Upon final confirmation of reviewers, the departmental director will formally invite the reviewers to participate in the review process.

Site Visit: The reviewers will conduct a minimum two-day on-site (or online) review. A reviewer’s role is to provide expert, unbiased, professional opinion regarding the performance of a particular department. The department will be responsible for funding the costs associated with the program review committee’s travel (i.e., meals, flights, etc.) and the Office of the Vice President for Student Life will provide up to $1500 honorarium per reviewer.

The visit typically spans two days and includes:

  • Meetings with department staff
  • Interviews with students, campus partners, and community stakeholders
  • Review of documents and facilities
  • Summary conversations with leadership
  • A wrap-up meeting with the department

Review Materials:

  • The self-study report
  • Supporting data and documentation
  • Contextual information about the department and division

Step 4: External Review Team Report

The external review team will provide a report that is an objective evaluation of the department’s performance and potential.

  • Contents:
    • Commendations and areas of excellence
    • Observations on departmental operations and culture
    • Recommendations for improvement
    • Strategic considerations and best practices
    • Notes on alignment with institutional goals
  • Submission: report will be submitted to the department director, the AIR staff member, the appropriate associate or assistant vice president, and the Vice President for Student Life within one month of the site visit. This group will meet to discuss the report within a week of receipt. The program review committee should be available for up to three weeks after submitting the report to answer any questions. The director will share the final report with departmental staff members at their discretion.

Step 5: Departmental Response and Action Plan

An action plan will be developed to respond to the review findings and outline a plan for continuous improvement.

  • Components: See Creating an Action Plan section.
  • Integration: The action plan is incorporated into departmental strategic planning and annual reporting processes.
  • Follow-Up:
    • The action plan will be posted on the Division of Student Life website.
    • To ensure the successful implementation of the action plan, departments will engage in regular check-ins with staff from the office of Assessment, Improvement, and Research. These meetings will focus on monitoring the progress of the action plan and addressing any challenges that may arise.
    • Additionally, departments are required to provide updates on their action plan at the end of each academic year. These updates will help track the progress made towards achieving the recommendations outlined in the plan and ensure continuous improvement. Updates will be added to the action plan posted on the Division of Student Life website.