Texas A&M Student Affairs Staff Win Assessment Leaders Awards
The Division of Student Affairs is a national leader in the assessment of how experiences outside of the classroom contribute to student learning.
By Melissa Rynning, Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs
Brooke Errington (left) and Dr. Darby Roberts (right)
Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs
Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL) is a nationwide group of professionals dedicated to improving the student experience, as well as the profession of student affairs. Members of SAAL use a data-driven approach to exchange ideas and strategies across institutional lines, contribute to assessment scholarship, engage in professional development together and connect with colleagues nationally.
For the second year, SAAL awarded exceptional group members who go above and beyond in both their contributions to the community, but also for their work impacting the student affairs assessment field. Members of the Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs (DSA) staff were among the recipients, winning two awards for their contributions in 2024. The award winners were Dr. Darby Roberts and Brooke Errington.
Recognizing Student Affairs Assessment Leadership
The SAAL awards are member-nominated and open to submission from the community's 1,500 members of student affairs professionals, representing higher education institutions across the United States. This year, 28 nominees were considered for eight awards categories, with Texas A&M University being the only institution represented with multiple awards recipients.
Roberts and Errington’s awards highlight their dedication to elevate not only the SAAL community, but also to furthering student affairs assessment at Texas A&M and beyond.
“Dr. Darby Roberts has been a steadfast member and active contributor in the SAAL community - even graciously coordinating with her institution to host the listserv for years. She expressed and instilled a sense of curiosity among student affairs folks, as well as demonstrated responsibility for supporting and elevating the student affairs assessment community - at her institution, within SAAL, and for the field.” - Dr. Joe Levy, Associate Vice Provost of Accreditation and Quality Improvement, Excelsior University
“When I saw the announcement for the Emerging Assessment Award, I immediately thought of Brooke. As I reviewed SAAL’s mission, vision, and values, as well as the scoring rubric, I saw Brooke committed to curiosity, community, equity, and responsibility, as well as demonstrating impact, effectiveness, and innovation.” - Dr. Darby Roberts, Texas A&M University
Dr. Darby Roberts: Legacy Award
The SAAL Legacy Award highlights a professional who has made substantial and lasting contributions to the field of student affairs assessment over time.
Roberts is the director of Student Affairs Planning, Assessment & Research (SAPAR) at Texas A&M University, the only department of its kind in the country that serves both student organizations and division departments. She's also a founding member of SAAL.
SAAL was established in 2008 as Roberts and others saw a need to develop community and professional development among the few people at the time who were doing this type of work. Seventeen years later, it has grown to over 1,500 members, with over half holding division-wide assessment responsibilities.
“SAAL has been an important part of my professional life since its inception,” Roberts said. “I have learned from peers around the country who are in similar roles and made lifelong connections with others. As a founding member of SAAL, I am excited to see where the organization started and where it is today. It is a vibrant community of professionals who care about assessment in student affairs.”
Over her nearly two-decade tenure, Roberts’s leadership in this field has established Texas A&M as a forerunner in the student affairs assessment profession. “Others look to us for good practices,” said Roberts.
Brooke Errington: Emerging Assessment Professional Award
The SAAL Emerging Assessment Professional Award highlights an individual who has been in the assessment field for less than three years.
Errington serves as the coordinator of assessment and planning in the Department of Residence Life at Texas A&M, one of the largest student housing operations in the country. Prior to taking on that role, she worked in Residence Life as a full-time, live-in staff member, having graduated with her master’s degree in student affairs administration in higher education in 2022.
Over the past couple of years, Errington has taken full advantage of what SAAL has to offer.
“I’ve been quietly observing and engaging with SAAL’s resources,” Errington said. “These experiences have provided me with valuable insights and introduced me to innovative ideas shared by professionals across the country engaged in similar work. I’m looking forward to taking a more active role in SAAL and contributing to advancing the profession, continuing to learn and collaborating with others who share a passion for driving student success through assessment.”
More About SAAL
The goal of SAAL, ultimately, is to foster student success.
If you’re interested in how student affairs assessment can help impact student experiences, Errington believes SAAL is the place to start.
“SAAL serves as an excellent starting point for professionals curious about the world of assessment,” she said. “It offers a welcoming, low-pressure environment to explore best practices and stay updated on trends and initiatives at institutions, divisions, and departments nationwide.”
Membership criteria can be found on SAAL’s website.