KSU Student Assessment and Engagement

Our department is dedicated to fostering an enriched educational experience by strategically evaluating and enhancing student engagement and student success across all academic paths. Through data analysis and innovative approaches, we empower both educators and learners to thrive in an environment that values continuous improvement. Join us in our commitment to elevate the educational journey, as we collaborate to shape a vibrant and effective learning landscape at Kennesaw State.

  • The Division of Student Affairs has organized its programs and services into a new model of student success based on six strategic "investments" of resources and support that yield an “impacts” on student development at KSU. Our goal is to build a college environment and experience where students are connected, supported, and inspired to give students the best chance at college success.  

    Investments

    • Connection to Community
    • Exploration & Authentic Expression
    • Community Health
    • Care & Crisis Support
    • Academic Guidance & Support
    • Student Learning & Skill Development

    Impacts

    • Belonging & KSU Pride
    • Academic Progress & Performance
    • Workplace Skill Training

    Assessment Plan: 

    • Goals
    • Outcomes
    • Measures
    • Results

    Each goal should connect to at least one of the Investments, Impacts, or Divisional Initiatives and Goals. 

    Assessment Cycle Phases

    PHASE DESCRIPTION REQUIRED ITEMS
    Plan Documenting the foundational framework and making a plan to assess
    • Unit Mission Statement
    • Objective Statement(s) and Purpose
    • Description of Measures and Implementation Strategies
    Do Gathering and documenting assessment results and evidence
    • Submit Assessment Tool(s) for Review
    • Update Progress of Measures
    • Implement Measures
    Check Analyze and interpret the results; make recommendations for improvements to assessment plan
    • Results from Measures
    • Analysis of assessment strategies
    Act Plan for innovation and/or improvement to achieve Objective
    • Intended changes to measures into next year
    • Action Plan for Innovation and Improvement
    LOGIN TO PLANNING

  • In our goal to study the growth of student engagement nurtured by our departments, we must explore every avenue. One often overlooked realm for assessment is the realm of social media and virtual programming outreach.

    To aid the Division of Student Affairs in effectively elucidating our virtual footprint, the Department of Strategic Planning, Assessment, and Analysis (SPAA) has curated resources tailored to the collection and evaluation of social media data. These tools are designed to assist you in seamlessly integrating digital student engagement into your department's reporting and strategic choices.

    learn more

  • To assist the campus community in accurately tracking event attendance, SPAA maintains an inventory of Owl Life Card Readers and Laptops that can be checked out to KSU departments. Card Readers are used in conjunction with Owl Life events and give students access to an accurate co-curricular record of their campus engagement.

    For events that have been approved to be listed as part of Scrappy's Bucket List, event attendance is a requirement. Please be sure to have created your event in Owl Life prior to submitting a request to borrow an Owl Life Card Reader. If you need any assistance with Owl Life, please email spaa@kennesaw.edu.

    REQUEST OWL LIFE CARD READER(S) FOR DEPARTMENTS

    Student Organization Card Reader Requests

    If you are a member of a Registered Student Organization requesting to borrow an Owl Life Card Reader, please visit the Department of Student Activities.

    All Card Reader requests for student organizations must be submitted via the Department of Student Activtiies.

  • At Strategic Planning, Assessment, and Analysis, we are dedicated to reviewing and handling your inquiries. Our team seeks to process all comprehensive and sanctioned Student Engagement Data Requests within a span of 5-7 business days.

    To facilitate the swift processing of your request, we recommend that you use the following guidelines. Please gather all essential materials and documents necessary to finalize your submission.

    learn more

  • Campus Assessment Resources

    National Assessment Resources

  • Insight Dashboards provides users with real-time student engagement data for data-informed decision-making and program improvement. Data is gathered from a Owl Life, Banner, and Fusion to provide a holistic view of student engagement within a particular department or population of students and is used to improve the student experience and student success outcomes.

    Dashboard data is meant to be used within an operational context to understand the immediate impact of programs and services on the student body. Data from dashboards is useful in identifying trends and quickly communicating outcomes through visualizations. 

    Dashboard data may also be used to support a department's 1-2-3 Assessment Plan and/or Annual Reporting.

    DSA Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

    Participating department within the Division of Student Affairs are issued a Departmental Standard View Dashboard of departmental student engagement data. The Standard View Dashboards use shared Key Performance Indicators across the Division to provide users with quick access to shared data points.

    There are no established minimum performance expectations associated with any KPIs. KPIs are intended to help promote a common language around student engagement data and encourage sharing and learning among colleagues. Interpretation of KPIs should be dependent on a department's mission and functional area within the Division of Student Affairs. 

    A summary of current KPIs are:

    • Count of Programs in Owl Life
    • Count of Cancelled Events in Owl Life
    • Average Program Attendance
    • Programs by Modality
    • Average Interactions per Student (by Programs and Check-Ins)
    • Unique Students Served (by Programs and Check-Ins)
    • Total Interactions Captured (by Programs and Check-Ins)
    • Programs by Day and Time of Day
    • Center/Office Visits by Hour
    • Average Daily Center/Office Attendance
    • Center/Office Visits by Month
    • Center/Office Visits by Day and Hour
    • Total Interactions by Month

  • The Division of Student Affairs utilizes Planning to support assessment planning and reporting efforts through the Division in order to inform decision-making, support the continued development of a culture of curiosity throughout the Division, and enhance the services and programs offered to the students of Kennesaw State University. 

    Specifically, Planning is used by the Division of Student Affairs to support the following:

    • Assessment Cycle
    • Annual End of Year Report
    • Division Strategic Plan
    • Program Review

    In support of these goals, this webpage is intended to support the implementation of best practices and continued adoption of the Planning platform throughout the Division of Student Affairs.

    General User Guides

  • We have a responsibility of receiving, assessing, and satisfying data inquiries for student engagement data on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs rests with the Strategic Planning, Assessment, and Analysis team. To initiate a request for KSU student engagement data, you can utilize the online form provided here.

    Our commitment lies in the efficient evaluation and processing of these data requests, with a target processing time of 5-7 business days for all comprehensive and endorsed Student Engagement Data Requests.

    learn more

  • Diverse tools are harnessed by the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) to support our assessment goals and unwavering dedication to ongoing student success and enhancement. This platform offers an insight into the spectrum of tools accessible to DSA personnel, accompanied by resources provided to facilitate the integration and optimizing of best practices.

    learn more