Background:

Orientation and First Year Programs (OFYP) is designed to ensure a smooth transition for incoming students, prepare them for academic success, and help them become active in the community. Every year OFYP evaluates their various orientation programs. Each program component - Parent Orientation, Graduate Student Orientation, Transfer Student Orientation, etc. - received a different evaluation. Although the data from these evaluations was helpful, the information did not create aligned results because each component used different questions and measures to evaluate their success. OFYP has always understood the importance of measurement, but lacked resources and efficiency in collecting, computing, and most importantly utilizing the data.

Action:

To improve evaluation efficiency, OMS utilized an integrated measurement approach to align each instrument used with the overarching goal of the entire OFYP Program. By strategically evaluating the same aspects for different programs, OFYP was able to maximize the utility of the assessments and make data-driven decisions to enhance their orientation programs. This has also allowed OFYP to compare each of the programs side-by-side and assess which of the previously defined areas needed improvement.

Results:

Prior to working with OMS, OFYP did not have a data-driven method of allocating resources to each of the orientation programs. OMS' program assessment method allowed for the identification of previously unidentified problem areas with trustworthy data that supported the budgeting decisions. The success of the project is on-going as OMS provides semi-annual reports and continues to focus on aligning the assessment items. Based on data, OFYP is able to prioritize their efforts, appropriately allocate resources, and focus their improvement efforts more strategically.