Assurance of Learning at Ancell School of Business is a framework designed to ensure that the student learning experience meets the intended learning outcomes of the school programs.

The process starts with setting the mission, programs goals and objectives. Next, faculty determine the proper assessment instruments to measure the impact of the learning experience on students’ achievement. Once we carry out the assessment and review the results of the assessment, we identify areas of improvement in the curriculum, pedagogy, or our process (CPP). We then make assessment-informed changes to CPP with the goal of continuously improving the student learning experience. Finally, student learning is reassessed once curriculum changes have had time to take effect. This data-informed decision-making framework is at the core of Ancell’s business programs.

The Ancell School of Business’ mission guides ASB to provide students with a high-quality, transformative learning experience that is continuously improved. The school focuses on achieving program goals and objectives to fulfill its mission.

The ASB mission:

The Ancell School of Business transforms students into graduates who are prepared for the complexities of the global economy and who will fulfill the needs of regional employers. The Ancell School, as a public institution, provides an affordable and personalized learning environment for undergraduate and graduate students from Western Connecticut and the tri-state region. The Ancell School promotes innovation, impact, and engagement in teaching that is informed by intellectual contributions and service to our community, businesses, and professional organizations.

To ensure that this student transformation is taking place, Ancell uses an Assurance of Learning (AOL) framework. This framework is based on the assess-improve-assess model and guides five undergraduate Learning Goal Assessment Committees (LGACs) and one graduate working group in their work of assessing student learning. These assessment efforts inform departments and curriculum committees about recommended improvements to academic programs.

ASB uses both direct and indirect assessment methods to evaluate program outcomes according to a six-year cycle. This comprehensive approach helps the school measure the achievement of learning goals and outcomes, which demonstrates the transformative nature of the education provided.

1. COMMUNICATION: Students will be effective written and oral communicators.
   1. WRITTEN: Students will produce acceptable executive summaries.
   2. ORAL: Students will deliver an oral presentation targeted to the audience.
2. CRITICAL FUNCTION: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the critical functional areas of organizations.
   1. Students will demonstrate general knowledge in the areas of Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, MIS, Management, Quantitative Business Analysis, and Business Law.
3. CRITICAL THINKING: Students will demonstrate skills relevant to organizational problem-solving.
   1. Students will be able to critically evaluate arguments, recognize assumptions, and draw conclusions to solve problems and make decisions.
4. GLOBAL/ETHICAL: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major factors that directly influence organizations.
   1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major factors that directly influence organizations including global, legal, social, cultural, environmental/sustainability, and ethical.
5. GROUPS AND TEAMS: Students will demonstrate group and team behaviors
   1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of group process concepts.
   2. Students will apply group process concepts to organizational problems.

1. COMMUNICATION: MBA graduates will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
   • Graduates will demonstrate effective writing skills that are appropriate to multi-national and multi-layered organizations.
   • Graduates will demonstrate effective oral communication skills that encompass diverse perspectives.
2. LEADERSHIP AND TEAMS: MBA graduates will demonstrate managerial level skills required to develop successful careers
   • Graduates will be effective leaders.
   • Graduates will be effective collaborators.
3. ETHICS: MBA graduates will demonstrate ethical awareness.
   • Graduates will apply social frameworks to achieve a positive societal impact *
   • Graduates will be able to evaluate and apply relevant ethical considerations to decision-making.
4. CRITICAL THINKING: MBA graduates will be effective critical thinkers.
   • Graduates will utilize critical thinking to assess business environments.
   • Graduates will apply qualitative and quantitative reasoning to make business decisions.

1. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills when facilitating group interactions, preparing written analyses, presenting compelling arguments and solutions, preparing well-documented plans, reports, and papers and when sharing core health administration principles, concepts and practices.
2. Apply leadership techniques appropriate for the context to inspire and influence individuals and teams to pursue a shared vision and goals.
3. Demonstrate awareness of the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare operations and take responsibility for acting effectively and professionally in teams as a team leader and/or as a member.
4. Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to assess situations, identify challenges and opportunities, solve problems, implement solutions, and evaluate results in health care delivery.
5. Make decisions and conduct oneself according to high ethical and professional standards.
6. Apply knowledge of management and leadership theories and practices to design, organize, mange and improve health care systems and organizations in compliance with industry standards and overall mission.

By implementing AOL, the Ancell School of Business can demonstrate that our students are achieving the intended learning outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that its programs remain relevant and effective in preparing students for successful careers in business.

1. To regularly evaluate and improve student learning outcomes in academic programs.
2. To drive meaningful and continuous curriculum improvement based on assessment results.
3. To align programs with the school’s mission, goals, and objectives.
4. To provide evidence of student achievement to accreditors, employers, and other stakeholders.
5. To make data-informed decisions to enhance curriculum content, processes, and pedagogy.

AOL benefits students by improving learning outcomes, aligning education with industry needs, fostering continuous improvement, enhancing employability, developing critical skills, and ensuring transparency and accountability in academic programs.

The role of the student is to take responsibility for their learning and to participate in the various assessments designed to measure student learning. Go to class, prepare for assessments, if possible, by reviewing the material you will be assessed with; follow the rubrics that you are given with your assignments to produce the best work you can, and provide feedback and student perspectives on the learning experience and assessment practices. By actively participating in the AOL process, students help create a collaborative learning environment where both faculty and students work together to achieve learning goals.