EKU Honored for Outstanding Practice in Student Learning Outcomes

Three Higher Education Institutions and Programs
Receive 2014 CHEA Award

 

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has announced the winners of the 2014 CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes: Eastern Kentucky University (Kentucky), Excelsior College’s Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program (New York) and The Citadel (South Carolina).

In announcing the award winners, CHEA noted:

• Eastern Kentucky University is a regional university offering undergraduate and graduate programs. The 2014 CHEA Award recognizes the university’s student learning outcomes activities – including measurement and communication – as evidenced by an annual Assurance of Learning day where faculty share information and ideas about program strengths and weaknesses, learning outcomes and changes that might enhance learning.
• Excelsior College is a nonprofit distance learning institution focused on removing obstacles to the educational goals of adult learners – in particular those historically underrepresented in higher education – by providing multiple pathways to degree completion, including undergraduate and graduate programs. The 2014 CHEA Award recognizes the college’s Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program for a system designed by faculty and administrators to measure student learning within the program’s very flexible online format.
• The Citadel is a state-supported military college offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including a distance learning online degree program. The 2014 CHEA Award recognizes the college’s efforts, including a program to facilitate the collection, scoring and reporting of student performance data, as well as a system to enhance assessment data analysis, communication and ongoing implementation of continuous improvements.

“These institutions and programs exemplify the efforts being undertaken by colleges and universities nationwide to develop and implement effective approaches to the use of student learning outcomes,” said CHEA President Judith Eaton. “Sharing this information about outstanding practices is particularly important, as it provides concrete and workable examples that can help institutions and programs seeking to make gains in this important area.”

The CHEA Award was established in 2005 to recognize institutions that have been exceptional in developing and applying evidence of student learning outcomes to improve higher education quality and accountability. A committee selected from higher education institutions, accrediting organizations and the public judged the entries on the basis of four award criteria: 1) articulation and evidence of outcomes, 2) success with regard to outcomes, 3) information to the public about outcomes and 4) use of outcomes for educational improvement.

Representatives from the institutions received the award at a ceremony to be held during the 2014 CHEA Annual Conference (January 27-29) at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC.