The artifact I selected to demonstrate the research and assessment competence outcome

was a paper written for the ELPS 431: Evaluation in Higher Education titled, Evaluation Plan for

Bridge to Loyola. As the culminating project for this class, this artifact reflects competencies

related to research and assessment. I worked collaboratively with Marlena Yang to evaluate the

effectiveness of programmatic content delivery of services offered by Bridge to Loyola Summer

Program. Our project took a formative, process-oriented approach to gather information for

program improvement.

During our project, my partner and I demonstrated the ability to design and implement

assessments and program evaluations for the Bridge to Loyola Summer Program by using our

understanding of a variety of research and assessment methodologies to choose the most fitting

qualitative and quantitative approach for our evaluation plan. In addition, this artifact

demonstrated our ability to use technological tools such as e-mail to disseminate information to

students and stakeholders regarding our evaluation. Our proposed evaluation details our rational

for conducting the assessment, the student population we were assessing, surveys we would

administer, and how we would present the outcomes.

This project challenged us to critically review various types of research studies to support

the application of our particular evaluation plan with Bridge students. Due to the increasing

number of varying student populations entering higher education, it is critical to assess the

effectiveness of the services and programming we offer for our students. Conducting an

evaluation for bridge students requiring additional support such a first-generation, low-income,

underrepresented minority students or those who test as remedial academically and socially

provided great insights about what to pay attention to when working with these students.