What is Watermark?
Mohawk Valley Community College uses Watermark’s Planning & Self-Study and Course Evaluations & Surveys platforms to organize assessment, document evidence, and make data-driven improvements. Watermark is a web-based software platform that provides a centralized, integrated environment to connect our strategic plan, institutional and program learning outcomes, assessment results, and student feedback in one place. These tools help us demonstrate ongoing compliance with Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation standards for regular assessment, data-informed decision-making, and continuous improvement.
In addition, assessment results—whether they come from assignments scored with rubrics, common exams, course evaluations, or general surveys—help MVCC see where students are thriving and where they are struggling. These results inform faculty and academic leadership decisions regarding curricular changes, such as revising course content, adjusting the sequence of courses, updating assignments, or adding new learning supports.
Course Evaluations & Surveys
Watermark Course Evaluations & Surveys (CE&S) is MVCC’s platform for collecting and analyzing student feedback on courses, instructors, and learning experiences. It is also the primary platform through which the College conducts general surveys. Faculty and staff use it to:
- Administer standardized, online course evaluations each term with consistent timing and questions
- Provide faculty and academic leaders with reports that can be disaggregated, compared across terms, and used in teaching improvement and professional development
- Capture additional survey data (e.g., student experience, services, or event feedback) that inform broader institutional planning and resource allocation
Planning & Self-Study
Watermark Planning & Self-Study (P&SS) is MVCC’s system of record for outcomes assessment, program review, and accreditation- and budget-related planning. Faculty and staff use it to:
- Create and maintain mission statements, institutional goals, and program learning outcomes that are aligned to MVCC’s strategic plan
- Build annual assessment plans, document measures and results, and track follow‑up actions for continuous improvement
- Roll up course- and program-level assessment into department, school, and institutional views that support self‑studies and periodic reviews
- Generate outcome and measure-level reports that departments can use in retreats, curriculum committee discussions, and annual planning
- Coordinate timelines and responsibilities for assessment reports, program reviews, and accreditation-related submissions
- Maintain an archive of past assessment cycles so faculty and staff can see the history of changes and their impact over time
Who uses Watermark?
All College employees have access to Watermark via Single Sign-On (SSO). Primary users of the system are:
Faculty
Faculty utilize Watermark Course Evaluations & Surveys to view student course survey results, and Planning & Self-Study to enter and review assessment results, document changes made to course and program learning outcomes, and create/update curriculum maps.
Program & Department Leads
Program and department leads submit annual program/department outcomes assessment reports (commonly referred to as “POARs”), and comprehensive five-year reports (Academic Program Reviews & Functional Area Reviews) via Watermark Planning & Self-Study. Additionally, the system is used to track progress on actions proposed based on assessment results.
Deans & Academic Leadership
Academic leaders use Watermark reports to monitor progress toward institutional and program learning outcomes, support program review, and ensure alignment with MVCC’s mission, strategic plan, and MSCHE expectations.
Institutional Research & Assessment Staff
Institutional Research & Assessment staff are the primary points of contact for all Watermark questions. These staff configure templates, support users, and pull integrated reports that feed into self‑studies, annual assessment summaries, and accreditation documentation.
For additional information about Watermark, please visit their website or contact:
Bradley Dixon
Coordinator of Assessment & Academic Programming
Email: bdixon@mvcc.edu / Phone 315-731-5809
Anne Nolan
Dean of Institutional Research & Organizational Performance
Email: anolan@mvcc.edu / Phone: 315-792-5519