Office of Assessment
The purpose of assessment at Norfolk State University is to provide information for planning and decision-making and the improvement of academic programs, educational support, and administrative support services. The University codified its responsibilities to assess student learning outcomes in Administrative Policy #39-01, Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment.
Institutional Assessment Overview
The Office of Institutional Assessment is responsible for coordinating assessment activities in the following areas:
Assessment Trainings/Workshops
Assessment Day Program
"From Evidence to Excellence: Turning Assessment into Opportunities to Elevate Student Success "
May 7, 2026
Session 1: Small Data, Big Impact: Using Assessment to Improve Teaching and Student Learning Outcomes
10:00 am-11:00 am NGE 205
This session reframes assessment as an accessible, practical part of everyday teaching. Through examples and an interactive activity, participants will explore how low-stakes, low-effort data can inform decisions and improve teaching and student outcomes. A simple, research-inspired approach and strategies to navigate time constraints will support immediate improvements, course refinement, and potential scholarly use.
Register Here
Session 2: Building a Culture of Planning, Assessment, and Reporting in Administrative, Academic, and Student Support Units.
11:15 am-12:15 pm NGE 205
This session explores strategies for building a sustainable culture of planning, assessment, and reporting across administrative, academic, and student support units. Participants will learn how to align goals with institutional priorities, use data to inform decisions, and foster accountability. The session highlights practical approaches for embedding continuous improvement into everyday practices and strengthening institutional effectiveness.
Register Here
Session 3: Experience Matters: Advancing Student Success Through Work-Based Learning
12:30 pm- 1:30 pm (Lunch and Learn) NGE 205
This session explores how work-based learning enhances student success, retention, and career readiness. Participants will examine high-impact practices, implementation strategies, and assessment approaches that connect classroom learning to real-world experience. The session highlights ways to strengthen partnerships, track outcomes, and align initiatives with institutional effectiveness and student achievement goals.
Register Here
Session 4: From Concept to Compliance: Navigating SCHEV Modifications, New Degree Proposals, and SACSCOC Substantive Changes
2:00 pm- 3:00 pm NGE 205
This session guides faculty and administrators through the full lifecycle of academic program changes, from initial concept to final approval. Participants will learn how to navigate SCHEV requirements, develop strong new degree proposals, and ensure compliance with SACSCOC substantive change policies while avoiding common pitfalls and strengthening institutional effectiveness and readiness efforts.
Register Here
Session 5: Taskstream Training: How to Report Assessment Findings and Results Step-by-Step
3:00 pm-3:50 pm NGE 205
This session provides a practical, step-by-step guide to reporting assessment findings and results in Taskstream by Watermark. Participants will learn how to enter data, write clear and meaningful narratives, and document use of results. The training emphasizes accuracy, consistency, and strategies for demonstrating impact and continuous improvement across units.
Register Here
Assessment Corner (Assessment Help Sessions)
- Virtual Every fourth Thursday of the Month
- Zoom link
Past Workshops
Please contact assessment@nsu.edu for copies of presentations
- Integrating Feedback to Facilitate Planning and Improvement
Date: October 19, 2023 Location: NGE 205 Time: 1:00 p.m.
- Building a Culture of Assessment in Administrative Units
Date: October 31, 2023 Location: NGE 314 Time: 12:30 p.m.
- Watermark User Training
Date: November 14, 2023 Location: Virtual Time: 1:00 p.m.
- ABCs of developing Goals, Outcomes, & Objectives
This interactive session will work with participants on developing goals, outcomes, or objectives for their unit, or academic program. The facilitator will work through examples of link each to the mission and vision statement as well as a strategic plan.
- I Have my Findings and Action Steps: What do I do Next?
The Office of Assessment will share the elements of reporting assessment findings in a way that conveys continuous improvement and drives peer reviewers to see action steps to close the loop on the assessment cycle.