The Assessment, Evaluation, and Research competency area (AER) focuses on the ability to use, design, conduct, and critique qualitative and quantitative AER analyses; to manage organizations using AER processes and the results obtained from them; and to shape the political and ethical climate surrounding AER processes and uses on campus.
Reflection:
In my Fellowship experience at Merrimack college, I had the opportunity to work with students who had multiple policy violations in regards to drugs and alcohol and walk them through the CHOICES Awareness Program. CHOICES is an alcohol abuse prevention and harm reduction program that was created for college students that helps them monitor the choices they make through an interactive journal. Each student is given a packet that they are able to write in and are also provided with information about the effects of alcohol and drug consumption. One of the purposes of hosting this program, other than promoting alcohol and drug awareness it to assess if the students are likely to utilize the knowledge they learned in order to make better decisions. My role this year was to serve as a co-facilitator for the program and to evaluate the students experience of going through the program.
The first step in the program is to have all of the students take a brief quiz about alcohol and how it affects the body. After the students take the quiz, I go over the answers with them and indicate that everything that they may or may not have gotten wrong will be explained throughout the rest of the session. At this point I go over all the sections throughout the booklet and promote a conversation about each section. Sections include: approximately how much and often you consume alcohol, the effects it has on the body, the positives and negatives about drinking, a BAC monitor, and some possible measurements a student can take in order to not put themselves in any danger. Most of the students ended up writing in their journals and actively participated in the discussion. By the end of the session I would pass out a brief survey to them asking them what they learned, what was their favorite part, and how likely are they to recommend this program to anyone else. The surveys are then reviewed by my supervisor and myself. Without going into to much detail, the surveys were overall extremely positive.
My second example of assessment, evaluation, and research was when I was a Presidential Intern with the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA) Presidential Board at the National Conference. My partner, and I were assigned the task of surveying new and seasoned members asking them their opinions in regards of the new bylaws and policy changes that had recently occurred. We surveyed approximately 30 members for four days and compiled a report within the following week to give to the board.
Artifact 1:
The artifact that shows evidence in my progression in this competency area of assessment, evaluation, and research is the question for the survey that my partner and I asked to the ASCA members in regards to the proposed bylaw changes. The new presidential board was very curious on member feedback and was concerned that some members may offer push back. My partner and I created these questions and showed them to the board for approval. Once approved we were told to interview as many members as possible and report our findings. This was was a great opportunity for me to advance my knowledge in this competency are as well as getting to know some of the members of the ASCA.
Benjamin Woupio 