Director, Assessment and Accreditation

Job Description

Job Description

Title:

Director of Assessment and Accreditation

Reports To:

Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness

Division:

Institutional Effectiveness

Department:

Assessment and Accreditation

We are the University of St. Thomas, the Catholic University in the heart of Houston. We are committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition and the dialogue between faith and reason. By pursuing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, we embody and instill in our students the core values of our founders, the Basilian Fathers: goodness, discipline, and knowledge. We foster engagement in a diverse, collaborative community.

The University of St. Thomas is a comprehensive university, grounded in the liberal arts. Committed to the unity of all knowledge, we offer programs in the traditional liberal arts, professional, and skill-based disciplines. Graduates of the University of St. Thomas think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically.

Position Overview:

The Director of Assessment and Accreditation provides leadership and coordination for university-wide academic and administrative assessment processes, while supporting compliance with accreditation requirements. The Director collaborates closely with faculty and staff to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that assessment and accreditation activities are systematic, data-driven, and aligned with university objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain a university-wide assessment system for academic programs, general education, and administrative units.
• Provide training and consultation to faculty and staff on assessment planning, outcomes measurement, and reporting.
• Develop templates, rubrics, and resources to support consistent, high-quality assessment practices.
• Collect, review, and analyze assessment reports; prepare annual summaries highlighting strengths, gaps, and recommendations.
• Coordinate preparation of accreditation reports, self-studies, and compliance documentation for regional accreditation.
• Serve as a key point of contact during accreditation site visits and monitor follow-up actions.
• Compile and organize university evidence.
• Ensure accreditation results are integrated into accreditation narratives and university planning.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement across academic and administrative units.
• Monitor and benchmark indicators to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with academic deans, department chairs, and administrative unit leaders to embed assessment in daily operations.
• Develop workshops, training sessions, and communication tools to increase engagement in assessment and accreditation.
• Prepare clear, professional reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Directors.

Minimum Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Master's Degree required; Doctorate preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in higher education assessment and accreditation.
• Direct experience with SACSCOC.
• Demonstrated success in coordinating assessment processes at the university level.
• Experience developing assessment tools and surveys.
• Extensive knowledge of assessment methodologies, learning outcomes, and continuous improvement practices.
• Strong understanding of accreditation standards, compliance requirements, and reporting expectations.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with data management and reporting tools, including the Watermark suite of systems (Course Evaluations and Surveys, Faculty Success, Insights Hub, Planning & Self-Study).
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to translate data and assessment findings into actionable recommendations.
• Collaborative leadership style with ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and administrators.

The University of St. Thomas is committed to the religious, ethical, and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. As permitted by law, practicing Catholics who will advance the mission of the university are preferred for this position. However, the University invites all qualified applicants to apply.