University of Michigan-Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint conducts assessment reviews to determine how well we are meeting our mission and goals. Assessment is part of the institution's commitment to continual improvement.

What is our mission?
UM-Flint, as well as many of the offices and departments, has a written statement about its mission and goals. The primary elements of UM-Flint's mission include:

The mission of the University of Michigan-Flint is to be the leading university in our region by:

• Educating all students in an environment that emphasizes literacy, critical thinking, and humanistic and scientific inquiry, while guiding their development into thoughtful and productive citizens and leaders.
• Facilitating student participation in the learning process and promoting individual attention to students through small class size and an involved faculty and staff.
• Assuring that faculty and staff give all those in our diverse student population the necessary guidance, support, and encouragement to achieve their academic goals.
• Enabling faculty to achieve high quality scholarship in areas of basic and applied research and creative activity.
• Promoting respect and understanding of human and cultural diversity.
• Collaborating with local and regional educational institutions and other public and private organizations to provide access to academic programs; advance economic, cultural, and artistic interests; and enhance health and education in our region.

More information about the missions and goals for individual UM-Flint academic units are available in the UM-Flint catalog or through links on this site. 

What is academic assessment?
Academic assessment is directly linked to student academic achievement. The academic programs on campus, including the General Education program and various major and concentration programs, have established learning goals for students and measures outcomes based on student performance. Each program determines desirable student outcomes based on these goals, and uses student performance to judge the program's success in meeting these goals. Results of academic assessment are then used to improve programs and curricula.

Specific academic assessment requirements vary between academic progarms, and may include exams, papers, presentations, portfolios and other projects. Grades are not specficially used for academic assessment, though some programs include academic assessment activities as requirements for graduation.

What is a student's role in academic assessment?
Students provide useful information about the university, and are occasional asked to participate in various assessment efforts. Assessment activities include surveys, focus groups and other forums. Some are aimed a current students, while others are directed toward former students and alumni. UM-Flint depends on student and alumni participation to continually improve our programs and meet our goals.

How does UM-Flint use the results of academic assessment?
Accreditors require universities publish assessment results. Assessment information about the mission, goals and outcomes of various programs, and measured outcomes are available on this site. Assessment results are summarized and anonymous. Individual students' outcomes are never publicized.