About us

Background

The Office of Assessment, Trinity College, was formed in 1999 by former Dean of Trinity College, Professor Emeritus Robert J. Thompson and former Director Dr. Matt Serra. As the Curriculum 2000 was being shaped and later implemented, Dean Thompson and Dr. Serra recognized the importance of parallel efforts to understand the impacts of this new design for undergraduate teaching and learning. Among the Office of Assessment's chief responsibilities is supporting the multidisciplinary endeavor to assess, discuss, and create lasting positive change for undergraduate and graduate and professional education. 

Due to a growing need for a centralized approach to assessment, the office was brought under the scope of the Office of the University Registrar in early 2023. The Office of University Assessment is now part of a larger network of Duke personnel engaged in study of student learning and development. 

Our Vision

Our vision is to nurture a culture of evidence at Duke University by joining sources of information with thoughtful consultations about educational research and assessment.  Recognizing the wealth of resources and professional expertise at Duke, our objective is to help campus partners and institutional leaders organize and carry out relevant, rigorous, and efficient educational research that aligns with Duke’s broader strategic goals.  We try to anticipate emerging questions of educational practice so that our community is prepared with evidence to guide our collective work.  Building from our long history within Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, we now extend this expertise to all of Duke’s colleges and schools. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Office of University Assessment is to support the operationalization of Duke’s Strategic Vision by:

• Creating and/or sharing data resources that are relevant, reliable, valid, timely, and usable
• Developing and sharing essential technology tools and instrumentation, such as course evaluation operations, in support of learning outcomes assessment
• Providing direct assistance to faculty and staff who are engaged in the study of teaching effectiveness
• Offering conceptual and operational guidance to departments, programs, centers, and service units in  areas of curriculum and course development, assessment, and program effectiveness
• Maintaining a systematic and high-quality program of institutional research for Duke’s colleges and schools, the programs therein, and representing the university’s strategic initiatives
• Overseeing reporting templates that simplify the sharing of assessment findings across stakeholder groups
• Ensuring that internal governing boards and committees have access to information during their periodic meetings, as requested
• Supporting Duke’s regular processes for reaffirmation and other forms of external review
• Cultivating thought partnerships and stimulating connections within and between communities of assessment practice
• Offering quality workshops and learning sessions on outcomes assessment and program evaluation.  Diffusing new ideas in assessment and program evaluation across Duke
• Upholding our shared responsibilities for diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, learning, and assessment
• Connecting assessment partners to Campus IRB for human subjects research guidance as appropriate