The Office of Assessment Culture and Education (ACE) comprises several functional areas within the Division of Access and Engagement (DAE) to provide intentional support both internally and externally. As a representative of DAE, ACE liaises with the following divisions and offices at UT: Student Life, Student Success, Enrollment Management, Institutional Research and Statistical Analysis, Office of Innovative Technologies, and University Communications. Within the context of DAE, internally, the unit provides administrative support to various members of the DAE team.
Additionally, the unit supports and oversees various DAE initiatives such as the Diversity Scholars Program, Staff Fellows program, division-wide professional development, assessment of programs, strategic planning processes, and all marketing and communications. Externally, the unit helps to advance the university’s mission by providing faculty and staff with resources and best practices to foster inclusive working and learning environments, supporting colleges and units in strategic planning processes that promote positive culture change, creating and sustaining communities that support employees’ sense of belonging, and partnering with offices across campus to advance recruitment and retention efforts.
Welcome from the Associate Vice Chancellor for Assessment, Culture, and Education
Greetings, Vol Nation!
As the inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor and Director for the Office of Assessment, Culture, and Education, I am privileged and honored to provide leadership for our team and serve alongside them, as we engage in meaningful and impactful work. In an effort to streamline some of the more administrative functions of the Division of Access and Engagement, and to create synergy around the strategic elements of our collective work, the Office of Assessment, Culture, and Education was formed. The ACE unit includes full-time professional staff members, an administrative fellow, graduate research assistants, practicum/internship students, and undergraduate diversity scholars. Moreover, ACE encompasses the work that occurs within the Chancellor’s commission and councils, assessment and evaluation, communications, strategic partnerships, and special projects. Members of the ACE team also serve as liaisons to key divisions across the university.
The vision of the Office of Assessment Culture and Education is to serve as a strategic partner with campus and broader community members through effective communication, education, and evaluation of DEI initiatives. And, the mission of the Office of Assessment Culture and Education is to equip our campus and broader community with relevant resources and evidence-based practices to foster welcoming environments. As a unit, we often provide thought leadership and serve as chief strategists for our partners who are committed to engaging in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work. Our ultimate goal is to aid in the creation of a seamless alignment between our professional efforts, institutional culture and the Chancellor’s strategic vision. Essentially, we envision a campus where every student, staff, faculty, alum, or guest can sing, with pride, the lyrics of Rocky Top being “Home Sweet Home” and mean it! Our division and our unit are proud to support our university, as we consciously strive to fulfill our core mission as the flagship land grant institution in the state of Tennessee. It takes a VOLUNTEER!
Go Vols!
Lamar Bryant, Ph.D.