This note serves as a reminder that the Director of Undergraduate Studies for each degree-granting program (except in cases where BAs and BSs are offered in the same subject) should complete an annual assessment report for each program of study. Assessment reports are due on May 1, 2026, although programs can request an extension if needed. 

The form for completing the assessment report can be found online on the CLAS Resource web site. Completed reports should be submitted and emailed to the CLAS Academic Assessment Coordinator, Matt Shadle. 

Beginning this year, programs are being asked to reflect on how they build student interest in their area of study, promote student learning in the major, and contribute to students’ career readiness. See the Undergraduate Program Assessment web site for more information on these three areas of assessment.

The annual undergraduate assessment report is a good opportunity to reflect on the student learning experience over the past year in your academic programs, including what has gone well and what challenges were faced by students and faculty. It is also an opportunity to make plans for the next year on how to improve the student learning experience.

As you complete your assessment reports, the Academic Assessment Coordinator is available to work with you on, among other things:

• What kind of data is already available that you could use as part of your assessment, and where to find it
• How to get the most out of your data and other information you've collected about your students and curricula
• How to get the most out of the process of writing your assessment report
• What other departments are doing as part of the assessment process that might be useful for your department.

And throughout the academic year, the Academic Assessment Coordinator can work with you and your department to:

• Figure out what types of assessment tools (e.g., student surveys, student focus groups, senior seminars, etc.) might give you the most helpful information about your academic programs
• Brainstorm ways you could try to improve the learning experience for students in your department, even when you have constraints on faculty lines and curricular offerings
• Plan or revise your assessment process for 2026-27
• Visit with faculty on a curriculum or undergraduate committee or present at a faculty meeting.

For questions about assessment reports or the undergraduate program assessment process, please contact Matt Shadle.