Over the next few years, academic units on campus will assess their undergraduate and graduate programs. In support of these efforts, we are pleased to announce the creation of the Assessment Faculty Fellows Program, and invite you to apply for this unique opportunity. Working closely with Chairs and department faculty, Assessment Fellows will have responsibility for coordinating, supporting and maintaining student learning outcomes assessment processes in their respective academic units, as well as sharing knowledge with colleagues across the university. Specific responsibilities also include meeting monthly as a group to share progress and discuss successes and challenges. Fellows will participate in workshop opportunities to gain expertise in creating a climate of assessment within their units and in conducting successful student learning outcomes assessment procedures, beginning with special workshops for Fellows scheduled during the Winter Faculty Institute, January 4-5, 2006 . Fellows will also work closely with the Office of Educational Assessment.

The appointment as an Assessment Faculty Fellow extends until the department has completed one full cycle of assessing a minimum of three student learning outcomes. The cycle consists of a department: Establishing clear, measurable expected outcomes of student learning; ensuring that students have sufficient opportunities to achieve those outcomes; systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well student learning matches the department faculty's expectations; and using the results of that assessment to improve instruction, learning and the overall curriculum.

Fellows may already be well-experienced with assessment methodologies and tools, or they may be new to assessment procedures. Of prime importance will be a commitment to guiding the assessment work of their academic units. Assessment Faculty Fellows will receive modest discretionary funding for support of professional development.

By December 12, 2006, interested faculty should notify the Office of Educational Assessment at ud-outcomes@udel.edu of their interest in serving as an Assessment Faculty Fellow. Department chairs must endorse a faculty member's plan to participate in this activity.