Division of Campus Life

Impact Assessment

Breadcrumb

Impact Assessment

Regular assessment makes it possible to measure our impact and tailor our programming and services to the Brown community. 

In November 2022, Campus Life revised our processes and recommitted to collecting and aligning division-wide information to develop a series of data dashboards. The collection and analysis of this data accelerated in 2023; we are on target to share it with our community in the summer of 2024. Visit this page for future updates. 

Through this process, the division has committed resources and attention to maximizing our data assessment efforts with a focus on measuring impact. For example, it’s important that our students enjoy a program in the moment, but it’s our goal to assess whether what they learned in that program deepened their understanding of themselves; increased their ability to interact with, learn from, and relate to peers in the University; enhanced their ability to find resources and support; and ultimately improved their academic, social, and personal experiences at Brown. 

400+

first-year students participated in pre-orientation programs with our identity centers in 2023

97%

Third World Transition Program participants agreed the program “made me feel welcomed and supported during my transition to Brown University.”

97%

International Student Orientation participants agreed the program better prepared them “to engage with peers who come from a different experience or background than my own”

Data source: CL 2023 Pre-Orientation Surveys

Using Assessment to Guide Our Work

In order to better understand the impact of Campus Life’s work on student success and the student experience, we collect data from across the division to help us identify and evaluate our successes, opportunities for improvement, and areas for increased focus and investment. Explore the accordions below for a selection of our goals and some of the Campus Life programs and initiatives that contribute to and exemplify this work. (Note: “program” is used as a catch-all for all types of engagement opportunities the division offers.)

To meet the goal of creating a welcoming and inclusive community, we evaluate how our programs help students acclimate to life at Brown. 

Examples that contribute to this goal: 

  • Pre-orientation and orientation programs for first-year and transfer students
  • Cohort programs, such as Campus Life leadership groups, military-affiliated students and veterans
  • Residential Life initiatives, such as themed housing, program housing, and Greek Life (for upper-class students)

To meet our goal of helping students build community, we evaluate how our programs and opportunities allow students to make new connections – especially with those from different backgrounds than theirs – in both intentional and unintentional ways 

Examples that contribute to this goal: 

  • Student organizations and clubs
  • One-time and recurring events hosted by professional staff or student employees
  • Workshops that promote learning and wellbeing

To meet our goal of developing student leadership, we evaluate how our programs and opportunities allow students to develop new and expand on skills and competencies.

Examples that contribute to this goal: 

  • Peer mentors
  • Student EMTs with Brown Emergency Services (BEMS)
  • Community Coordinators in Residential Life
  • Other student leadership positions

To meet our goal of helping students thrive, we evaluate how our programs and opportunities allow students to prioritize their health and wellbeing as they navigate and manage competing commitments, goals, and (new and preexisting) health needs. 

Examples that contribute to this goal: 

  • Group and individual sessions with clinical and non-clinical staff
  • One-time and recurring workshops and trainings

To meet our goal of operational excellence, we evaluate how our programs – both on a divisional and unit level – promote professional development and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts

Examples that contribute to this goal: 

  • Professional development training 
  • Opportunities to present at conferences
  • Recruitment and retention efforts of diverse staff