Student Engagement in Assessment Mini-Grant

Syracuse University’s assessment framework focuses on examining student learning outcomes and success outcomes to enhance the student learning experience. A best practice involves engaging students in the assessment process to increase student agency, include student perspectives, and provide students with tangible research experience related to analyzing data and interpreting results. Involving students in the assessment process is a key strategy in implementing equity-minded assessment practices. This strategy validates their lived experiences as learners and provides faculty/staff with unique perspectives to enhance the student experience. Engaging students increases transparency in how programs/units design and implement learning experiences.

This mini-grant supports faculty and staff in engaging students in the assessment and action plan process. We have developed a resource that provides faculty and staff with ideas on how to engage students, along with additional resources to support their efforts. We encourage you to review this newly available resource to enhance your work.

The mini-grant funds can be used to pay student(s) stipend (hourly employee or for a specific activity), purchase software/tools for assessment that a student would utilize, books and resources for student(s) to learn about best assessment practices, meetings or retreats where students are collaborating with faculty/staff, and/or purchase food or incentives to increase student(s) participation in assessment sessions, etc…

Student Engagement in Assessment Grant Goals:

• Students will gain assessment knowledge and skills (e.g., student learning outcomes development, identifying measures and criteria, analyzing results, curriculum mapping).
• Students will develop a sense of agency to help inform program/unit decision-making.
• Faculty/staff will receive constructive feedback and input on program/unit assessment activities.
• Faculty/staff will further identify students’ motivation and barriers to participation/learning.
• Faculty/staff/students will participate in reflective practices within a community of learners to improve program/initiative coherence.

 Eligibility and Award Information

• Any academic, co-curricular, or functional program/unit at Syracuse University.
• One or more Syracuse University student(s) must be involved in the assessment project.
• The assessment project must connect to a program/unit’s assessment and action plan (student learning outcomes or success outcomes)
• Programs/units would engage students in the assessment project from August 26, 2024 – May 6, 2025. The program/unit would utilize this information in their assessment and action plan update which is due November 1, 2025.
• Grant recipients (faculty/staff AND students) are also expected to:
  • Provide a reflection at the mid-point and end of the assessment project. Reflections should include how students are contributing to the project, how the project is supporting outcomes assessment, and benefits/challenges that emerged, what students are learning by engaging in assessment. More guidance will be provided to awarded programs/units.
  • Create a poster for the One University Assessment Poster Session (April 2025) showcasing findings from the project.
• Up to 5 mini-grants are available. Grant award is $500. The mini-grant can be applied to a department or office account.

Application

• To view this funding opportunity, visit: syracuse.infoready4.com
• Log in to the portal using your Syracuse University netID and password to submit an application.

Deadline and Notification

• Deadline to apply is August 8, 2024.
• Notification of selection will be sent by August 15, 2024.
• Selected applicants should confirm their acceptance no later than August 22, 2024.

Questions?

• Contact the Assessment Working Team (assessment@syr.edu).