Research, Assessment, and Evaluation Core Competency Course (2026)

This course provides professionals in Orientation, Transition, and Retention (OTR) with the foundational skills in assessment to create, implement, and evaluate a program successfully. Informed by the assessment cycle, participants will learn how to develop meaningful, measurable, and manageable learning outcomes; align outcomes with the appropriate assessment methods, data collection approaches, and analysis techniques; and make data informed decisions. For OTR professionals with assessment responsibilities, this course offers crucial support in designing effective assessment plans. Professionals who are newer to assessment or who are not at the director/manager level will still benefit and may choose to focus on program-level assessments. By the end of this course, participants will walk away with a fully developed assessment plan that they can readily implement with confidence. 

The content and structure of this course are grounded in NODA's Core Competencies for Research, Assessment, and Evaluation. These core competencies offer OTR professionals a shared framework and foundational skill set. They also foster professional growth and help advance the expertise of OTR professionals at all levels within the association. For more information about NODA’s Core Competencies, please visit this website. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Following the successful completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

1. Describe the difference between assessment, evaluation, and research. 
2. Write meaningful, measurable, and manageable learning outcomes. 
3. Select and design assessment instruments that directly align with defined learning outcomes.
4. Make a plan to communicate assessment findings and recommendations that are clear and effective for a variety of different stakeholders.
5. Explain how to make data informed decisions based on assessment findings. 

COURSE TAKEAWAYS: 

• Foundational Assessment Skills for OTR Programs: Participants will gain the core skills needed to conduct assessment. 
• Master the Assessment Cycle: The course will guide participants through every step of the assessment cycle, from planning to action.
• Outcome-Driven Assessment: Participants will learn to develop meaningful, manageable, and measurable learning outcomes and ensure all assessment components (methods, data collection, analysis) directly align with these outcomes.
• Practical Plan Development & Implementation: The key output is a ready-to-use assessment plan that participants can implement immediately and confidently to assess their programs.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:

For OTR professionals with assessment responsibilities, this course offers crucial support in designing effective assessment plans. Professionals who are newer to assessment or who are not at the director/manager level will still benefit and may choose to focus on program-level assessments. Targeted core competencies will be at the intermediate and advanced levels.

Please review NODA's cancellation policy prior to registering for this course. 

TIME COMMITMENT:

As an online course with a weekly synchronous component, participants registered for the course should expect to complete 1–2 hours of independent work each week prior to attending the synchronous meetings. This independent work will be reflected upon and discussed in the synchronous meetings. Your dedication to the asynchronous coursework is appreciated.

Participants should plan to spend 2–3 hours preparing for the course. A welcome email will be sent 2 weeks prior to the course outlining the pre-work that will need to be completed, as well as resources and readings for you to review. Your engagement in all course activities and discussions is crucial for your learning and the learning of all participants. 

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:

Paul Holliday-Millard, Ed.D., is a Senior Research Associate in the Office of Student Affairs Research & Assessment at UNC Charlotte, where he coordinates, develops, implements, and interprets assessment, evaluation, and research projects for the division. His career includes experience in OTR (at the University of South Carolina), academic and career advising, leading to his current functional area of student affairs assessment. Once an assessment skeptic, Paul now champions assessment's power for lasting change and is a strong advocate for assessment training and professional development. Actively involved in NASPA, Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL), and currently Chair of ACPA's Commission for Assessment and Evaluation (CAE), he has co-authored articles in the Journal of Applied Research in Community Colleges, Journal of Higher Education, and Journal of Student Affairs Inquiry, Improvement, and Impact. He holds degrees from Roanoke College (BA), the University of South Carolina (MEd), and UNC Charlotte (EdD).

PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS:

• Active participation: Your engagement in all course activities and discussions is crucial for both your learning and the learning of all participants.
• Respect and openness: Approach all interactions with respect, openness, and a willingness to learn from diverse perspectives and experiences. Personal attacks are not acceptable, as this is a space for learning and sharing in a respectful manner. However, all participants are encouraged to be open to constructive feedback.
• Confidentiality: Respect the confidentiality of shared personal experiences and insights within the course, fostering a safe and trusting environment for all participants. 

SCHEDULE:

• January 12, 2026 – Participant access to the Canvas course module is opened; Pre-course assessment is due via Qualtrics
• January 15, 12–1 pm Central – Synchronous Meeting #1
• January 22, 12–1 pm Central – Synchronous Meeting #2
• January 29, 12–1 pm Central – Synchronous Meeting #3
• February 5, 12–1 pm Central – Synchronous Meeting #4
• February 12, 12–1 pm Central – Synchronous Meeting #5
• February 19, 12–1 pm Central – Synchronous Meeting #6
• February 27 – Participant submissions of the final assignment are due to Canvas for grading and completion of post-course assessment via Qualtrics

REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND PRICING:

Member Rates:

• Early Bird Registration: $195 (register by November 20, 2025)
• Regular Registration: $225 (register by January 1, 2026)
• Late Registration: $280 (register by January 8, 2026)

Non-Member Rates:

• Early Bird Registration: $375 (register by November 20, 2025)
• Regular Registration: $405 (register by January 1, 2026)
• Late Registration: $460 (register by January 8, 2026)

CANCELLATION POLICY:

If you need to cancel a registration, please email noda@umn.edu with the specifics of your cancellation request. You can view NODA’s Cancellation Policy on our website. 

NODA EXCELLENCE FUND:

Scholarships for this course and other NODA educational opportunities are available through the NODA Excellence Fund.