Commission for Assessment and Evaluation
Friday, 10 July 2015 - 8:56am
Measure What We Treasure: Participant Reflection on the Assessment Institute 2015
By: Emily Feinstein
Hello! I am Emily Feinstein, and I currently serve as the Director of Student Engagement and Title IX Deputy Coordinator for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). I am responsible for oversight of the non-academic student conduct process, and processes for assessing and supporting students of concern within our UAB community. I have worked in higher education for nearly 15 years, and have often felt that I lacked the knowledge base and confidence to fully lead and implement assessment within my division. I have the great pleasure of providing not only departmental direction on assessment, but also for our Division of Student Life.
After attending the 2015 ACPA Assessment Institute, I now feel I have the skills and understanding of how to truly “measure what we treasure” as stated by the opening session keynote speaker, Frank Shushok. I felt that the presenters delivered the Institute objectives in a way that was not overwhelming or daunting, but rather excitable for me as a seasoned professional. I was able to gain broad exposure through the department and program tracks; as well as the "choose your own adventure" sessions. I found the keynotes and plenary sessions to be motivational and inspiring, and felt the messages applied to me professionally in a broader manner than just assessment. The conference also provided great dialogue within the sessions and in less formal ways, and all participants offered an exchange of best (and those learned from) practices to consider.
I feel confident that at UAB, I will be able to provide understanding, vision, and direction to prove and improve; the great work that our practitioners provide for our ever changing student needs.
Emily Feinstein is the Director of Student Engagement and Title IX Deputy Coordinator for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was a 2015 participant in our Student Affairs Assessment Institute.
You can reach Emily via e-mail or Instagram to learn more about her experiences at the Assessment Institute.
Find more information about the 2015 Student Affiars Assessment Institute HERE