Scholarship, Professional Development, and Community of Practice in Student Affairs Assessment

This article traces the professionalization of student affairs assessment through the development of the assessment position and the progression of operations, functions and responsibilities. Evidence includes a review of various publications followed by an empirical examination of data from a professional Listserv. Findings identify how assessment in student affairs has evolved from a skillset to a professional field as well as consideration of the development of the campus professional. Ongoing and future trends are described and ways in which the field has developed and contributed evidence about the impact of student affairs by advancing data collection and reporting is included.