Job Summary

The Director of Academic Program Assessment and Evaluation supports the Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s academic mission by managing student and faculty evaluations and tracking student performance across all levels of the curriculum. This role ensures that assessment practices are data-driven, aligned with institutional learning objectives, and compliant with accreditation standards. Through rigorous analysis and clear communication of results, the Director provides actionable insights that enhance teaching effectiveness, inform curriculum development, and promote student success.

Essential Function

Course and Faculty Evaluation 

• Administer and manage student evaluations of courses, faculty, clinical instructors, and small-group facilitators using structured systems (e.g., Survey Monkey, Watermark, Blackboard, Meditrek, etc.). 
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative feedback, prepare structured reports, and share findings with the dean, associate deans, course directors, faculty, and curriculum committees to guide continuous quality improvement
• Facilitate focus groups and other qualitative feedback mechanisms to supplement evaluation data.
• Examination Administration and Performance Tracking
• Participate in the preparation and administration of standardized assessments (e.g., mock national board exams).
• Collect, manage, and interpret program examination results—including item analysis—and assist faculty in applying this data for course refinement.
• Track and analyze student performance on National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations and other high-stakes assessments to identify trends and at-risk learners.
• Measure programmatic outcome assessments by conducting regular off-campus preceptor surveys 

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Extract, organize, and maintain assessment data in institutional platforms (e.g., Blackboard, Meditrek, Canvas, ExamSoft). 
• Prepare detailed reports on individual and cohort performance, including benchmarks and risk indicators, for use by academic leadership.
• Provide data and analysis to support accreditation, curriculum review, and strategic planning efforts. 
• Provide oversight and maintenance of the College’s documents within the evidence inventory for accreditation reports. 

Strategic Plan Assessment and Alignment 

• Develop and implement assessment frameworks to measure the College’s progress toward achieving its strategic plan goals and objectives. 
• Design and monitor dashboards, benchmarks, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that connect academic program outcomes with institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with leadership to integrate assessment findings into strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and policy development.
• Conduct longitudinal and trend analyses to evaluate the impact of academic initiatives on strategic plan outcomes.
• Ensure that strategic assessment activities align with accreditation requirements, institutional effectiveness processes, and external reporting expectations
• Communicate progress toward strategic goals through written reports, oral presentations, and data visualization tools for senior leadership, faculty, and stakeholders. 
• Partner with institutional research and planning offices to embed strategic priorities into program-level and college-wide evaluation practices.

Quality Improvement and Compliance

• Communicate evaluation outcomes to program leadership to inform teaching, assessment methods, and faculty development.  Ensure that assessments align with institutional learning objectives and Bloom’s taxonomy levels.
• Maintain compliance with accreditation requirements and institutional policies governing assessment practices.
• Other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 3 years of experience. 
• Proven skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis with emphasis on academic programs.
• Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills for engaging university stakeholders.
• Experience using learning management systems (LMS), assessment platforms, and institutional databases for reporting and analytics.
• Knowledge of higher education accreditation standards and regulatory compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in assessment technology and data visualization tools and research methodologies

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking
• Lifting demands ≤ 25lbs

Location

• Salus Campus - Elkins Park

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $75,200 to $112,790 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.