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Office of Assessment and Accreditation
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Office of Assessment and Accreditation

The Office of Assessment and Accreditation (OAA) supports assessment, accreditation, and quality improvement efforts of A.T. Still University (ATSU). OAA is a reporting unit of Academic Affairs. OAA uses educational data, allowing for accurate and timely provision of information, and reports to members of the ATSU community. The assessment and accreditation processes institutionalized by OAA ensure the validity and quality of the higher education offered at ATSU. Team members within the office have major support roles for assessment and accreditation throughout the University, taking active leadership roles on institutional committees and in external organizations, including the strategic and operational supporting roles in pursuit of the University’s re-accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

  • Purpose +

    • With a focus on continuous quality improvement guided by evidence, OAA works to advance ATSU’s mission as an innovative learning-centered university by providing facilitation, support, and leadership for assessment endeavors, program reviews, and accreditations across the University.

  • Responsibilities +

      1. OAA fosters a culture of assessment across all levels of the University.
      2. OAA guides and implements the academic program review process across all schools and colleges of the University.
      3. OAA provides leadership for the HLC accreditation process and support for discipline and program accreditations across the University’s schools and colleges.

  • Administration and Staff +

    • Christopher Crismon, MA
      Acting Director of the Office of Assessment and Accreditation

      Christopher Crismon, MSP, is director of the Office of Assessment and Accreditation (OAA). He works closely with Academic Affairs and manages his team to foster best practices and ensure ATSU’s quality higher education through developed processes in assessment and accreditation. He is a member of the University-Wide Assessment Committee (all subcommittees), member of the HLC Steering Committee, and the lead active role in assessing, addressing, maintaining, and archiving all ATSU assessment and accreditation projects. He started working at A.T. Still University, in the OAA, in April of 2024.

      Christopher has accumulated 20 years of experience in leading accreditation and regulatory compliance efforts in both the for-profit and public sectors of higher education working towards obtaining or reaffirming accreditations with three institutional accreditors and nine programmatic accreditors across multiple disciplines. He serves as a peer reviewer for the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. Previously, he has worked with Educause as a Professional Pathways Advisor to executives in higher education. Christopher is currently enrolled in a Juris Doctorate program with an expected graduation date of January 2027. He has a Master of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix. In his free time, Christopher enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters doing a number of activities, including swimming, hiking, and traveling.

      Holly Klusmeyer
      University Assessment Project Manager

      Holly Klusmeyer is the university assessment project manager at ATSU. Klusmeyer works closely with her team as they collect, assess, address, and archive assessment techniques from all levels of the University. In doing so, she collaborates with and supports the needs of faculty, staff, and students as they nurture and maximize varying techniques of assessment in higher education. Klusmeyer is most dedicated to mapping University core professional attributes to the University curricular and co-curricular outcomes, taking on the support role for this institutional software. Klusmeyer serves as a member on university committees and actively participates in the University accreditation process for the Higher Learning Commission (ATSU’s regional accrediting body). She has attended conferences for assessment and/or accreditation.

      Klusmeyer graduated from University of Central Missouri with a bachelor’s in Special Education. As assessment specialist, she finds her skills in education for 18 years are used daily, whether she is assessing the validity of a course syllabus or editing a critical document for institutional process.

  • Core Professional Attributes +

    • The OAA played a vital role in the creation of ATSU’s institutional outcomes, better known as the Core Professional Attributes (CPAs).

      ATSU’s CPAs enable graduates to select, adapt, and apply their discipline-specific knowledge and skills to varying situations, enhancing competence and improving outcomes across all aspects of their roles as healthcare professionals.

      Learn more

  • Accreditation +

    • ATSU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. ATSU has many programs that are accredited by outside agencies. The University also requires all programs to undergo periodic program review.

      Institutional accreditation

      A.T. Still University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

      230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500,
      Chicago, IL 60604

      Phone: 800.621.7440
      Fax: 312.263.7462

      Email: info@hlcommission.org

      hlcommission.org

      Program accreditation

      For all programs, the University conducts a rigorous program review cycle to ensure the quality of all program offerings in addition to the many externally accredited reviews that ATSU programs undergo. More about program review.

      Learn more

  • Program Review +

    • The purpose of ATSU program review is to improve student learning through academic program assessment. The internal review process provides systematic evidence of a program’s effectiveness with respect to the discipline and policy and assures consistency with the University’s mission. Broad and comprehensive program review identifies strengths as well as needs and shapes future program priorities. Program review results and recommendations guide resource allocation and decision-making at the University level.

      Program review goals:

      1. Assure high-quality, professional programs are provided for students;
      2. Identify opportunities for improvement in each program;
      3. Assist program with plans to implement changes to improve student learning; and
      4. Archive programmatic changes at the University level.

      Learn more

  • Committees and Conferences +

    • Conferences the OAA attends:

      AIR and RM-AIR Annual Conferences

      HLC Annual Conference

      IUPUI Annual Conference

      Watermark Conference

      Conferences and/or events which members of the OAA have presented:

      2018-2023 HLC Conference

      2018-2023 Watermark Conference

      2017 Taskstream/TK20 Conference, presenter

      2016 HLC Conference, speaker

      2016 HLC Collection of Papers, essay

      2016 AIR, poster

      2015 HLC Conference, speaker

      2015 AIR Conference, poster

      2014 Taskstream Conference, presenter

      2014 IUPUI Conference, speaker

      Committees the OAA serves on:

      Academic Support & Information Technology Committee: Christopher Crismon

      ACOD: Christopher Crismon

      DEC: Christopher Crismon

      HLC Steering Committee: Christopher Crismon

      Institutional Research Committee: Christopher Crismon

      OAA Advisory Council: Christopher Crismon and Holly Klusmeyer

      Online Migration Team: Christopher Crismon

      University-wide Assessment Committee: Christopher Crismon and Holly Klusmeyer

      University-wide Assessment Committee—Academic Subcommittee: Christopher Crismon and Holly Klusmeyer

      University-wide Assessment Committee—Resources Subcommittee: Christopher Crismon and Holly Klusmeyer

      University-wide Assessment Committee Steering Committee: Christopher Crismon

  • OAA Lending Library +

    • The OAA believes continuous learning is more than an institutional goal, it is necessary to quality improvement and the growth of the University. OAA has opened its professional library to all ATSU – administrators, faculty, staff, and students – creating a Lending Library focused on the creation and education of lifelong learners. Please feel free to reach out and borrow a book by visiting OAA or emailing oaa@atsu.edu. The OAA recently collaborated with a handful of our university faculty to publish a chapter in Peggy Maki's latest book, titled 'Transforming digital learning and assessment: a guide to available and emerging practices and building institutional consensus.' This text is now available for lending!

      Lending Library options

      1. American Psychological Association - Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (Mo.)

      2. Arreola, Raoul A. - Developing a Comprehensive Faculty Evaluation System: A Guide to Designing, Building, and Operating Large-Scale Faculty Evaluation Systems, 3rd Edition (Mo.)

      3. Bates, A. W.; Poole, Gary - Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundations for Success (Mo.)

      4. Bernhardt, Victoria L. - Designing and Using Databases for School Improvement (Mo.)

      5. Brown, M. Douglas - Principles of Language Learning and Teaching, 4th Edition (Mo.)

      6. Chabotar, Kent John - Strategic Finance: Planning and Budgeting for Boards, Chief Executives, and Finance Officers (Mo.)

      7. Cooke, Mo.lly; Irby, David M.; O’Brien, Bridget C. - Educating Physicians: A Call for Reform of Medical School and Residency (Mo.)

      8. Covey, Stephen M. R. - The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything (Mo.)

      9. Crawford, James; Krashen, Stephen - English Learners in American Classrooms: 101 Questions, 101 Answers (Mo.)

      10. Creswell, John W. - Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, 3rd Edition (Mo.)

      11. DiaMo.nd, Robert M. - Designing and Assessing Courses and Curricula: A Practical Guide, 3rd Edition (Mo.)

      12. Doyle,Terry; Zakrajsek, Todd - The New Science of Learning: How to Learn in HarMo.ny With Your Brain (Ariz.)(Mo.)

      13. Duree, Rick; Zamudio, Alvin - The Entrepreneur’s Bible: 52 Proverbs of Profit (Mo.)

      14. Ebel, Robert I.; Frisbie, David A. - Essentials of Educational Measurement, 5th Edition (Mo.)

      15. Gevitz, Norman - The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America, 2nd Edition (Mo.)

      16. Gladwell, Malcolm - Outliers: The Story of Success (Ariz.)(Mo.)

      17. Gladwell, Malcolm - The Tipping Point (Ariz.)(Mo.)

      18. Godin, Seth - Tribes (Mo.)

      19. Guthrie, James W.; Hart, Christina C.; Ray, John R.; Candoli, I. Carl; Hack, Walter G. - Mo.dern School Business Administration: A Planning Approach (Peabody College Education Leadership Series) (Mo.)

      20. Hill, Tom; Irwin, Russell Stuart - Blessed Beyond Measure: A look into exceptional life and an invitation to exceptional living! (Mo.)

      21. Hollander, Myles; Wolfe, Douglas A. - Nonparametric Statistical Methods, 2nd Edition (Mo.)

      22. Huba, Mary E.; Freed, Jann E. - Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning (Mo.)

      23. Institute of Medicine; Board on Health Care Services; etc. - Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality (Mo.)

      24. Kapp, Stephen A.; Anderson, Gary R. - Agency-Based Program Evaluation: Lessons From Practice (Mo.)

      25. Kezar, Adrianna J. - Understanding and Facilitating Organizational Change in the 21st Century: Recent Research and Conceptualizations (Mo.)

      26. Kirkwood, Betty; Sterne, Jonathan - Essentials of Medical Statistics, 2nd Edition (Mo.)

      27. Kuh, George; Ikenberry, Stanley O.; Jankowski, Natasha A. and Associates - Using Evidence of Student Learning to Improve Higher Education (Ariz.)(Mo.)

      28. Leedy, Paul D.; Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis - Practical Research: Planning and Design, 8th Edition (Mo.)

      29. Leedy, Paul D.; Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis - Practical Research: Planning and Design, 9th Edition (Mo.)

      30. Lencioni, Patrick - The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable (Ariz.) (Mo.)

      31. Maki, Peggy L. - Assessing for Learning: Building a Sustainable Commitment across the Institution (Mo.)

      32. Maki, Peggy L. - Real-Time Student Assessment: Meeting the Imperative for Improved Time to Degree, Closing the Opportunity Gap, and Assuring Student Competencies for 21st Century Needs (Ariz.)(Mo.)

      33. Maxwell, John C. - Developing the Leader within You: Developing the Leaders Around You (Mo.)

      34. McKeown, Greg - Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Mo.)

      35. Nikolic, Vesna; Cabaj, Hanna - Am I Teaching Well?: Self-Evaluation Strategies for Effective Teachers (Mo.)

      36. Patterson, Kerry; Grenny, Joseph; McMillan, Ron; Switzler, Al - Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when Stakes are High (Mo.)

      37. Pink, Daniel H. - Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Mo.tivates Us (Mo.)

      38. Schmuller, Joseph - Statistical Analysis with Excel for Dummies (Mo.)

      39. Selingo, Jeffrey J. - There is Life After College: What Parents and Students Should Know About Navigating School to Prepare for the Jobs of ToMo.rrow (Mo.)

      40. Sheskin, David J. - Handbook of Parametric and Nonparametric Statistical Procedures, 4th Edition (Mo.)

      41. Straus, Sharon E.; Richardson, W. Scott; Glasziou, Paul; Haynes, R. Brian - Evidence-Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM, 3rd Edition (Mo.)

      42. Sullivan III, Michael - Fundamentals of Statistics, 2nd Edition (Mo.)

      43. Suskie, Linda - Five Dimensions of Quality: A ComMo.n Sense Guide to Accreditation and Accountability (Mo.)

      44. Weinstein, Stanley - The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management, 3rd Edition (Mo.)

      45. Wiggins, Grant - Educative Assessment: Designing Assessments to Inform and Improve Student Performance (Mo.)

      46. Wiggins, Grant; McTighe, Jay - Understanding by Design: Expanded 2nd Edition (Ariz.)(Mo.)

      47. Wiggins, Grant; McTighe, Jay - Understanding by Design: Professional Development Workbook (Ariz.)

      48. Wiggins, Grant; McTighe, Jay - The Understanding by Design Guide to Creating High-Quality Units (Ariz.)

      49. Wong, Harry K.; Wong, Rosemary Tripi - The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher (Mo.)