- Purpose
- To promote organizational excellence by guiding and supporting non-academic administrative units in implementing meaningful, data-informed assessment practices that articulate clear outcomes, measure performance, and drive continuous improvement through consultation, training, and evaluation of unit measures to enhance operations, services, and strategic alignment across the institution.
- Vision
- To be a nationally recognized leader in administrative assessment, cultivating a culture of intentional reflection, strategic alignment, and continuous improvement that empowers every non-academic administrative unit to contribute meaningfully to the university’s mission and long-term success.
- Mission
- The Administrative Assessment unit within Administrative Effectiveness in Business and Administration at Auburn University fosters a culture of continuous quality improvement and operational excellence by guiding, supporting, and evaluating non-academic administrative assessment practices that align with Auburn University’s strategic goals and upholds the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
- Values
- Integrity: We uphold ethical standards and transparency in all administrative assessment practices.
- Collaboration: We believe in the power of partnerships across units to drive shared success.
- Excellence: We strive for high-quality, evidence-based assessment that informs decision-making and fosters innovation.
- Accountability: We promote responsibility through clear documentation, measurable outcomes, and continuous feedback.
- Service: We are committed to supporting units with responsive, tailored guidance that meets unique unit assessment needs.
- Learning: We value reflection and growth, both in our practices and in the units we serve.
Administrative Assessment Unit
Dr. Channing Ford returned to Auburn University in June 2025 to serve as the Director of Administrative Assessment within the Administrative Effectiveness office. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for institutional assessment and continuous improvement across all non-academic administrative units. Ford also co-leads Auburn’s accreditation efforts related to Administrative Effectiveness, specifically supporting compliance with SACSCOC Standard 7.3.
With over 18 years of experience in higher education, Ford has a strong background in developing, implementing, and evaluating both academic and non academic programs. Prior to her current role, she served as Dean of the Graduate School at Jacksonville State University and previously held the position of Director of Assessment in the Harrison College of Pharmacy at Auburn University.
Ford’s expertise includes programmatic assessment, health professions education, curricular development, and student learning outcomes. Her research interests focus on assessment best practices, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and generational learning in higher education. She has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and is the co-author of Navigating the Complexities of Health Professions Education from Millennial and Generation Z Learners.
She holds a doctorate in Administration of Higher Education from Auburn University, along with graduate certificates in College/University Teaching and Program Evaluation. Ford is also a four-time graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she earned a B.A. in Art History, a B.A. in Mass Communication, an M.A. in Communication Management, and an M.P.A. She later earned a second M.A. in Integrated Studies from Jacksonville State University.
As a lifelong learner, Ford is passionate about supporting others in their educational journeys and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in higher education.
