The 4^th annual Assessment Festival took place on January 5^th, 2012 with 62 faculty in attendance to view 11 program/ department posters displayed.  The event focused on the recently adopted Essential Learning Outcomes developed by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. All posters focused on new and improved ways of utilizing assessment.  This year's format was different as it included not only the typical poster format, but a special presentation with a question and answer session led by Professor Tom Brady from the Engineering Department.  

Participants were given a survey to complete in which 90% of 29 survey respondents reported that the event this year helped them become “more aware of what forms of assessment are being implemented by other programs across campus”. The majority indicated that they are “more aware of data-driven decisions made on campus” and agreed that this event “helped increase a culture of assessment on campus”.

One faculty member commented, "This is a very important event that takes place on campus...keep it going”.  Another mentioned, "We've come quite far in the past four years“.  This event was led by the Assessment Steering Committee and sponsored by the Academic Affairs Office.

Plans are already being made for next year’s 5^th annual fest.  David Pratt, Director of Learning and Technology and Assessment Steering committee member commented, “This year’s event was another great success, but I believe we are ready to expand into sharing our assessment efforts across campus in a different format.  The committee has been working with departmental assessment coordinators to examine other options such as an interactive panel discussion.”