The primary objective of AES assessments are to improve the quality, innovation, and effectiveness of administrative and support services. Regular assessment and improvement of services are essential to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff and to maintain the institution’s reputation and academic excellence.

Assessment in colleges is about understanding strengths, identifying weaknesses, and using data to foster positive change. “The effectiveness of the University relies on the contribution that each of the University’s programs and services makes towards achieving the goals of the institution as a whole.” – MSCHE Standard VII.

Assessment can benefit administrators and staff by:

• Helping to clarify the division or unit’s mission and its integral role in fulfilling the university’s overarching mission.
• Identifying the key activities that need to occur to achieve the division’s mission and goals.
• Establishing a cohesive and focused approach to guide the division or unit’s efforts and initiatives.
• Providing administrators and staff with better information about how their services are viewed by their “customers” and what areas need improvement.
• Helping administrators make informed, evidence-based decisions about resource allocation, the need to re-consider, improve, or expand services, and more.
• Ensuring that resources are being allocated in the most effective way possible – where they’ll have the greatest impact on helping the university achieve its mission.

The links left explain BCC’s five-step AES assessment process and provide useful tools and resources to help administrators and staff engage in administrative and support Units (AES) assessment.