Authentic assessment processes support accountability to students and community partners, leading to institutional transformation through more equitable policies and practices in serving both students and marginalized communities. Presenters share findings from a mixed methods, multi-year assessment approach to community-engaged learning. Findings are used for ongoing program improvement, deepening effective practices, and advocating for institutional investment in community engagement and partnerships. Findings focus on student civic learning outcomes, sense of belonging at the institution and in the larger community, as well as agency in their own education. Data also evidences the relationship between community-engaged learning and educational success such as persistence and graduation rates. Presenters discuss how collaborative assessment processes develop a community of practice among faculty, heightening student and community-centered critical pedagogies.

Application of assessment findings include ongoing programmatic improvement and support from senior leadership, ultimately, leading to larger institutional commitments to strategic and structural community partnerships.