As part of a state-mandated assessment process, faculty and students need innovative approaches which can empower them to learn, grow, and change in the classroom. The University of Missouri-Kansas City Department of Communication Studies uses three types of student portfolios: (1) a university-wide portfolio of the student's work in all courses for a given semester; (2) a course portfolio that reflects what goes on behind individual tests and assignments; and (3) a student selected portfolio of work evaluated by a professional in a student's prospective area of employment. More than assessment tests and statistics, these portfolio assessments give students and faculty crucial control and insights regarding the learning process. (Three figures presenting the form used by the department for student portfolios, the form used for faculty feedback, and the protocol for student portfolio and interview assessment are included; 18 references, and a survey instrument and teacher comments from the English department about course portfolios are attached.) (Author/RS)