Mission Statement

At OCC the central focus of the assessment process at all levels is the improvement of student learning. OCC faculty takes the lead in implementing assessment activities, as well as in planning and overseeing those activities. However, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness provides support and guidance to the faculty of OCC in all assessment-related matters. The mission of the college-wide Student Outcomes Assessment Committee (SOAC) is to support student outcomes and assessment at all levels of the institution and to advise on best practices in student learning assessment. SOAC is an advisory committee comprised of faculty and academic deans that helps to lead and shape the process of student learning assessment at OCC. Finally, OCC uses an electronic database, the "Assessment Results Tracking Information System" (ARTIS), to organize and track all assessment-related activities at the college.

OCC Assessment Definition

Assessment is an ongoing process aimed at understanding and improving student learning. It involves making our expectations clear to students and setting appropriate outcomes for learning. It helps determine how well student performance matches articulated learning benchmarks and may suggest ways curriculum and instruction can be improved.

Student Outcomes Assessment Committee (SOAC) Mission

The mission of the college-wide Student Outcomes Assessment Committee (SOAC) is to support the implementation of student outcomes and assessment at all levels of the institution. As faculty and staff transition from content-centered to learner-centered and from instructor-centered to student-centered, SOAC guides the assessment process and supports efforts to enhance the learning experience of students.

Faculty Assessment Facilitators

Faculty Assessment Facilitators work with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to support faculty and staff implementation of course, program and general education student learning assessment activities. Faculty assessment facilitators are full-time faculty at the college who serve as a resource to program/student learning coordinators and work closely to support the proper implementation of student learning assessment activities across campuses.

Program/Student Learning Coordinators

Program Coordinators and Student Learning Coordinators are OCC full-time faculty that manage all issues related to student learning assessment in their program or discipline. These faculty work with academic administration and all full-time and adjunct faculty to develop common course outcomes and assessment plans, submit assessment findings and move assessment activities forward for their program or discipline. Program/Student Learning Coordinators also work with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to establish an appropriate plan of action relevant to their program or discipline’s current stage of assessment development and to guide the implementation of student learning assessment improvements within their program or discipline.

Assessment Results Tracking Information System (ARTIS)

The Assessment Results Tracking Information System (ARTIS) is a web-based database developed by Oakland Community College. This database is used by program/student learning coordinators, academic deans and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to manage all aspects of student learning assessment, including establishing common course outcomes and assessment plans, submitting assessment findings, and developing and tracking action strategies for improvement.