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Assessment Centers in Higher Education: Measuring Student Outcomes Via Assessment Center Methods

This presentation explores the use of assessment center (AC) methods for measuring student outcomes in higher education. After a brief review of the history of using AC methods for outcomes assessment, results of a survey of the incidence of AC use in higher education are presented. Following an overview of a model program designed to assess student outcomes for undergraduate business majors, a number of issues for the use of AC methods in higher education outcomes assessment will be discussed. Specifically, five critical issues are reviewed in depth: (1) issues of implementation; (2) reliability of AC ratings; (3) validity of AC ratings; (4) cost efficiency; (5) implications for curriculum/program.

PDF of Riggio/Mayes presentation

Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D. is the Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology and Director of the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College. Professor Riggio is the author of over 100 books, book chapters, and research articles in the areas of leadership, assessment centers, organizational psychology and social psychology.  His research work has included published studies on the role of social skills and emotions in leadership potential and leadership success, the use of assessment center methodology for student outcome assessment, empathy, social intelligence, and charisma.  His most recent books are Multiple Intelligences and Leadership and The Future of Leadership Development (both co-edited with Susan Murphy; Erlbaum, 2002, 2003), Improving Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations (co-edited with Sarah Smith Orr; Jossey-Bass, 2004), Applications of Nonverbal Behavior (co-edited with Robert S. Feldman; Erlbaum, forthcoming), and Transformational Leadership (2^nd ed.), coauthored with Bernard M. Bass (Erlbaum, forthcoming).

Dr. Mayes received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of California, Irvine in 1978 and is now a Professor of Management at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). He is also the Past-president of the Western Division of the Academy of Management.

With the support of a U.S. Department of Education grant, he and his co-Principal Investigator established an assessment center for business students on the CSUF campus.   Data from the assessment center have been used to evaluate student learning in the classroom and the effectiveness of campus support programs, such as the internship center.  He is now Director of the College of Business & Economics Student Assessment Center.  He also coordinates the Annual Western Region Assessment Conference at CSUF.

Dr. Mayes' articles have appeared in the Journal of Applied Psychology, Academy of Management Review, Human Relations, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Journal of Management, Journal of Organizational Behaviour, Educational and Psychological Measurement, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, Journal of Management Inquiry, and the California Management Review, among others.