BSSE, CEE programs recognized for excellence in student learning assessment

The Department of Biosystems Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering were among only three academic programs honored with Auburn University's annual Provost’s Excellence in Assessment Award for their outstanding commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in student learning assessment.

Both departments were selected for the honor after a rigorous peer-review process led by a faculty fellow and assessment professionals in the Office of Academic Insight (OAI). Each year, submitted reports undergo evaluation using OAI’s Quality of Assessment rubric, which assigns ratings (from beginning to exemplary) and offers specific, actionable feedback to academic units.

For the 2024 cycle, the University Assessment Council, an advisory body focused on enhancing program assessment quality, recognized programs that received all exemplary scores.

"More than 10 years ago, our departmental faculty designed and developed an entirely new framework for regularly assessing and evaluating how well Auburn civil engineering students attain our desired outcomes," said Robert Barnes, Arthur H. Feagin Chair Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who coordinates the department's assessment efforts and also serves as associate chair for undergraduate studies. "Most importantly, we wanted to efficiently identify effective means for improving how we educate students. Practically all our faculty are regularly involved in the system. It was very exciting to see this team recognized for their hard work and dedication to our students."

Senior Lecturer Jon Davis, Barnes' counterpart in the Department of Biosystems Engineering, also stresses the role assessment processes play in ongoing program optimization.

"We are always striving to provide an outstanding student-centered learning experience and a strong assessment program helps tremendously," Davis said. "We were honored to receive this recognition from the Provost’s Office and the Office of Academic Insight."