JMU - School of Strategic Leadership Studies - Dary Erwin Bio
T. Dary Erwin, Ph.D.
Professor of Leadership Studies and Psychology
Contact Information Mailing Address
(o)540-568-7020 MSC 1505
(f) 540-568-7117 James Madison University
erwintd@jmu.edu Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Primary Research Interests
Higher Education Assessment and Accountability Practice and Public Policy
Courses frequently taught
Assessment and Public Policy, Proseminar in Postsecondary Education, Policy Development and Analysis in Postsecondary Education, and Research Practicum in Postsecondary Studies
Dr. Erwin was formerly Associate Provost for Public Policy at James Madison University where he established the Center for Assessment and Research Studies, which currently houses eight doctoral level assessment faculty conducting traditional and computer-based studies in general education, the major, student affairs, and technologically delivered instruction. Under Dr. Erwin’s leadership, the first doctoral program in Assessment and Measurement began fall 1998.
Dr. Erwin has testified before an Education and Workforce subcommittee of the US House of Representatives, presented at over 100 professional conferences, and participated in numerous meetings about collegiate accountability. He has spoken at over 70 college campuses to faculty, student affairs professionals, and administrators about outcome assessment around the world.
Dr. Erwin’s articles on college impact and assessment first appeared in 1980 and his Jossey-Bass book entitled Assessing Student Learning and Development: A Guide To The Principles, Goals, and Methods of Determining College Outcomes was published in 1991. He is also author of the Erwin Identity Scale, the Scale of Intellectual Development, numerous articles and chapters, and a reviewer of critical thinking, problem solving, and writing assessment methods for the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative. He is also on the boards of Quality in Higher Education, Assessment Update, and Active Learning in Higher Education.
Dr. Erwin has previously been affiliated with Texas A & M University and the University of Tennessee. He received his bachelor and master's degrees from the University of Tennessee and his doctorate in student development and measurement from The University of Iowa.
Dr. Erwin is past recipient of the Annuit Coeptis Award of the American College Personnel Association and of the Ralph F. Berdie Memorial Research Award of the American Association for Counseling and Development. He was also past chairperson of the Measurement Services Association.
Recent Publications
DeMars, C. E., Cameron, S. L., & Erwin, T. D. (2004). Information literacy as foundational: Determining competence. Journal of General Education, 52(4), 253-265.
DeMars, C. E., & Erwin, T. D. (2004). Scoring neutral or unsure on an identity development instrument for higher education. Research in Higher Education, 45(1), 83-95 .
DeMars, C., and Erwin, T. D. (2003). The Scale of Intellectual Development: Application of an unfolding model. Journal of College Student Development, 44(2), 168-184.
Erwin, T. D. (2004). Standardized Testing and Accountability: Finding the Way and the Will. In J. C. Burke (ed.), Achieving accountability in higher education: Balancing public, academic, and market demands. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Erwin, T. D. (2003). The ABC’s of assessment. Trusteeship, 11(2), 18-23.
Pieper, S. L., Fulcher, K. H., Sundre, D. L., & Erwin, T. D. (2008). What do I do with the data now?: Analyzing assessment information for accountability and improvement. Research and Practice in Higher Education, 2(1). Retrieved January 29, 2008, from http://www.virginiaassessment.org/rpa/3/Pieper,%20Fulcher,%20Sundre,%20&%20Erwin.pdf
