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Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness

Institutional Effectiveness

The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness (OIRE) supports Florida Poly’s commitment to continuous improvement by coordinating and facilitating the University’s institutional effectiveness activities.

Through academic assessment, administrative assessment, program review, and institutional/national surveys, the office works collaboratively with faculty and staff to ensure that teaching, learning, and operations are regularly evaluated and strengthened. By providing consultation, resources, and data analysis, the office helps campus stakeholders engage meaningfully with assessment processes and use evidence to drive informed decisions that advance the University’s mission.

Explore the sections below to learn more about each area and access the guides and resources available that support our work. You can also explore our Institutional Effectiveness Manual, which guides this work at Florida Poly.

Academic Assessment

Academic assessment at Florida Poly is a cyclical process through which faculty evaluate student learning and drive continuous improvement in their programs.

Operating on a three-year cycle, the process moves through three phases (planning, assessing, and evaluating) allowing faculty to establish clear learning outcomes, collect meaningful data, and reflect on findings to inform future instruction. Programs may choose to review all program learning outcomes simultaneously or stagger them across the cycle, providing flexibility to match the nature and scale of each program. Through this ongoing process, faculty identify trends, make evidence-based improvements, and ensure that student learning remains at the center of program development. The OIRE supports faculty throughout the assessment cycle by offering one-on-one consultations, providing guides and resources, and analyzing and reporting data to help programs make informed decisions. The resources below provide support for the assessment cycle.

Administrative Assessment

Administrative units at Florida Poly engage in a three-year planning and assessment cycle designed to promote intentional goal-setting, continuous improvement, and alignment with the University’s strategic priorities.

Each cycle begins with a structured reflection grounded in Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) criteria, helping units identify strengths, recognize opportunities for growth, and establish priority goals for the coming years. Units then develop specific, measurable goals with clearly defined objectives, timelines, responsible parties, and indicators of success. Throughout the cycle, units track progress, evaluate outcomes, and communicate results to stakeholders, ensuring that administrative operations are data-informed and mission-driven. The OIRE is available to assist units through one-on-one consultations, curated guides and resources, and data analysis. The resources below aid in each stage of the planning and assessment process.

Program Review

Program review is a comprehensive self-study process through which Florida Poly regularly evaluates the quality, relevance, and sustainability of its academic programs.

Programs without specialized accreditation undergo review every six years, guided by the University Assessment Committee (UAC) and driven by faculty expertise and professional judgment. The process is grounded in four core principles: quality assurance and continuous improvement; strategic planning and resource alignment; accountability and transparency; and faculty ownership and collaboration. Findings from each review directly inform institutional planning, resource allocation, and program enhancement efforts. Upon completing a review cycle, programs develop goals and objectives that respond to review recommendations and set a clear course for ongoing improvement. The OIRE partners with programs throughout this process, offering consultations, maintaining guides and resources, and providing data analysis to support a thorough and evidence-based review. The resources below provide programs with the tools and direction needed to complete a successful review process.

Surveys

Florida Poly uses institutional and national surveys to gather feedback from students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.

The OIRE leads the administration and analysis of these surveys, and results are analyzed and shared with relevant offices and leadership to ensure that the voices of the campus community are reflected in planning, decision-making, and improvement efforts.

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.