Institutional Effectiveness
Jump to related linksInstitutional Effectiveness (IE) is the systematic and ongoing process of collecting, analyzing, and acting on data and information relating to the goals and outcomes developed to support the College’s Strategic Plan, Mission, and Vision. IE is oriented toward measuring results and using these results to aid in decision-making and improving programs and services of the College that support student learning. IE is the ability of an institution to meet its strategic plan and mission and is the assessment of the College at the highest level.
IE focuses on goal setting with identified metrics, measuring outcomes, comparing actual outcomes to those desired, and developing recommendations aligning with movement toward the desired state. The strategic plan drives the overall IE process with the addition of College Assessment (Academic and Co-Curricular) and Academic Program Review. All parts must be aligned and integrated for a successful Institutional Effectiveness Program. Planning and budgeting are also critical to the success of the IE Program as financial resources are critical to support both the strategic vision and overall operations of the College.
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Document .pdf2020-2022 Institutional Effectiveness Report
Combined reporting of activities for 2020-2022 on the strategic plan, academic assessment , co-curricular assessment, academic program review, and budgeting.
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Coming Soon - 2022-2024 Institutional Effectiveness Reports
INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS CYCLE
The IE process is informed by the assessment cycle. Goals, plans, and other information are defined in the spring to prepare for presentation to the Board of Directors in the summer. These goals and plans are then in place for the year and assessed each spring semester. The results of the assessments are analyzed at the end of the spring, then adjusted or improved by the summer. The cycle continues as a feedback and analysis loop.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The Strategic Planning process is the roadmap for the College. The mission, vision, and values are identified and set the stage for developing the overall strategic goals. Environmental scanning is conducted externally to identify opportunities and threats. An internal assessment of the organization is conducted to review organizational strengths and weaknesses. An analysis of the above is completed and leads to developing a strategy for overall goal success. After strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation of the plan occur. The Strategic Planning Process is led by the Strategic Leadership Team (College Administration); this team meets regularly, and twice a year conducts strategic planning retreats as scheduled by the President.
ASSESSMENT
Mercy College assesses institutional learning goals (ILGs) through a variety of methods linked to coursework and aligned with course assignments, including testing, journals, reflections, written work, oral presentations, and participation in co-curricular activities. Rubrics are used as a tool for assessment of the assigned work. The data gained from the assessment rubrics provide information regarding the achievement of the learning outcomes. Assessment of student learning is completed at the following levels: course, programmatic, and institutional. Assessment of student learning provides quantitative and qualitative data for the measurement of student achievement. The assessment process produces information supporting data-driven decisions for overall curricular improvement. Assessment activities are conducted from the time a student enters the College until the time they exit, plus post-graduation surveys, etc. Student participation is essential to the process as it completes the cycle of assessment. Learning Outcomes identified – Assessment of Learning Outcomes – Data Collection and Analysis – Curricular Improvement measures recommended and implemented. Overall, assessment is part of the institutional effectiveness of the organization.