Pillars of Excellence in Assessment
At Sovereign University, assessment serves as the cornerstone of our commitment to academic and institutional excellence. As a forward-thinking research institution with a strong liberal arts tradition, we strive to foster intellectual growth, innovation, and social responsibility.
Rooted in our identity as an inclusive, community-focused university, our assessment practices align with our mission to empower students as global leaders. These practices are also reflective of our values: integrity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of truth. Assessment provides us with a dynamic mechanism to evaluate our progress, adapt to emerging challenges, and celebrate successes.
Guided by our strategic initiatives, Sovereign University’s assessment framework allows us to align academic programs, support services, and co-curricular activities with measurable goals. This ensures accountability while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Through rigorous and reflective assessment, we affirm our dedication to shaping individuals who are not only skilled professionals but also compassionate citizens. The process enables us to uphold our institutional mission and values while creating meaningful opportunities for all members of the university community to thrive. Ultimately, assessment at Sovereign University is not merely a process but a shared vision for a brighter, more impactful future.
Evaluation plays a crucial role in maintaining transparency and accountability, particularly in the context of peer reviews conducted by regional and specialized accreditation bodies. By systematically assessing our performance, we affirm our dedication to upholding the highest standards of academic and operational excellence.
This process not only validates our efforts to key stakeholders—faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners—but also highlights our unwavering responsibility to the generations of students who have shaped and been shaped by Sovereign University. Evaluation provides the foundation for a culture of continuous improvement, empowering us to innovate, adapt, and lead with purpose.
Through rigorous evaluation and a commitment to responsibility, Sovereign University reaffirms its role as a transformative institution dedicated to academic distinction and the holistic development of its community.
Monarch’s dedication to strategic alignment stems from its mission of “enriching lives through excellence in education.” This vision is fulfilled by responsibly managing the University’s valuable resources, including its people, facilities, and finances.
Each major department leader across the University’s executive divisions submits an annual report evaluating their progress toward operational objectives and demonstrating how these efforts support the University's mission and strategic priorities. Executive officers function as the core strategic planning team, using this reporting process to ensure that annual goals are aligned with overarching strategic initiatives. This alignment allows for seamless integration of assessment outcomes into planning and budgeting, fostering a cycle of continuous improvement and resource optimization.
The University assesses its progress through various means including:
- Dashboard indicators for finance, budget, and enrollment, including admission, retention and graduation rates.
- Regular review of faculty and staff performance.
- Annual reports.
- Specialized accreditation and external review processes and Academic Program Reviews.
- Benchmarking with various types of peer groups.
At Monarch, assessing student growth encompasses a comprehensive approach to academic and personal development. Student growth outcomes, within both the Office of the Provost and Student Life, are deeply rooted in the University’s mission and guided by the Dimensions of a Monarch Education. These Dimensions emphasize five key areas: knowledge acquisition, critical thinking and communication, ethical and spiritual growth, cultural awareness, and leadership through service.
The Bridges Common Learning Experience, a hallmark of Monarch’s undergraduate education, undergoes University-wide evaluation. Similarly, all academic programs—including undergraduate, graduate, and professional offerings—are assessed at the School level. Faculty members across disciplines create, execute, and review assessment plans, reporting annually on their findings and detailing how these insights will enhance student growth and program quality.
A variety of methods are employed to document student growth outcomes:
- Assessment Reports: Academic programs submit annual reports detailing student growth outcomes, findings, and subsequent adjustments to curricula, teaching methods, or resources.
- Academic Program Reviews (APR): Each program engages in an APR every five years, utilizing self-studies and external reviews to ensure quality and alignment with institutional goals.
- Alumni Surveys: Academic programs regularly gather alumni feedback, either independently or through University-wide surveys, to inform program improvements.
The Student Life Growth Team (SLGT) promotes Monarch’s strategic vision by coordinating the assessment efforts of the Division of Student Life. SLGT ensures a thorough evaluation of co-curricular programs, services, and facilities, aligning with the Dimensions of a Monarch Education.
SLGT compiles an annual report summarizing:
- Growth Achievements
- Resulting Actions
- Department Highlights
- Future Objectives
Monarch Faculty, Staff, and Students: Access key resources, including institutional self-study tools and accreditation documentation, to support assessment and strategic initiatives.