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Academic Affairs

Institutional Research and Assessment

Assessment is a continuous process focused on improving all university programs and services. Assessment is a multidimensional process that evaluates the impact of academic, cultural, social, and environmental conditions on student learning and institutional operations. The functions of assessment are guided by university policy and operate under the auspices of the Assessment Council. The charges of assessment are four-fold:

• College Entry Assessment and Placement: The purpose of entry-level assessment is to assist OCU in making decisions that will give students the optimal chance of success in attaining their academic and personal goals.
  
  
• Liberal Arts Assessment: As a whole, liberal arts assessment refers to the measurement of what is often referred to as “general education.” Assessment in this area is designed to evaluate students’ progress and learning competencies in the areas of communication, analytical and critical thinking, and quantitative resourcefulness.
  
  
• Outcomes Assessment: This charge refers to the evaluation of program goals and objectives for the major field of study. This component of the policy is designed to measure how well students are meeting stated program goals and objectives.
  
  
• Environmental Satisfaction: Perceptions of participants in the OCU community are vitally important to the enhancement and improvement of all campus programs and services. The perceptions of students, alumni, community, faculty, and staff are valuable to enhancing Oklahoma City University.
  

The assessment plan at Oklahoma City University calls for continuous multi-year, multi-unit involvement. The full plan is available for review.

Institutional research is a significant administrative support function that is vital to Oklahoma City University. It provides necessary oversight for the institution by providing comparative, input, and productivity data. Summarized data reports are posted for review by the university community.

Strategic Planning is a dynamic process at Oklahoma City University. It began in the fall of 2001, when newly appointed President Tom McDaniel named a four-person group to coordinate a long-range strategic planning effort for the university. Today, a group of approximately twenty members representing all constituencies of the university, the University Planning Steering Committee, coordinates and facilitates the strategic planning process. The university remains committed to its vision and mission as outlined in the five strategic initiatives:

1. Provide an excellent education, led by distinguished faculty and grounded in the liberal arts tradition, that encourages service, leadership, and spiritual growth.
   
   
2. Provide a challenging educational experience that is personal to each student and dedicated to promoting each student’s success and welfare.
   
   
3. Benefit the community in diverse ways, including providing leadership in cultural activities and using our global relationship in local community and economic development.
   
   
4. Increase the University’s visibility and financial strength.
   
   
5. Institute a planning culture, including systematic and empirically grounded assessment in order to foster and reward excellence in faculty, administration, and staff.
   

Vision
Oklahoma City University, a private, church-related institution, aspires to be a premier university for the liberal arts and the professions, with respect to:

• Academic excellence that cultivates character,
  
• Student success and welfare,
  
• Personalized education that encourages service, leadership, and spiritual growth,
  
• Local community and economic development, including the use of global relationships, and
  
• Cultural leadership in our community and state.
  

Mission
Oklahoma City University embraces the United Methodist tradition of scholarship and service and welcomes all faiths in a culturally rich community that is dedicated to student welfare and success. Men and women pursue academic excellence through a rigorous curriculum that focuses on students’ intellectual, moral, and spiritual development to prepare them to become effective leaders in service to their communities.

Contact information:

Michael Jackson
Director, Institutional Research and Assessment
(405) 208-5088
Clara E Jones Administration Building, Rm 438

Jacci Rodgers
Faculty Liaison for Assessment
(405) 208-5047

Roberta Feller
Project Manager
(405) 208-6281

Matthew Eastwood
Research Analyst
(405) 208-5066