Over the past few decades, deterioration in student achievement has provoked a pervasive public sentiment that American institutions are failing to meet the needs and expectations of society. The growing public demand for transparency and accountability has fueled the integration of state-mandated learning outcomes assessment into the standards established by regional accrediting agencies. The assessment of student learning outcomes (SLOs) serves as one strategy to improve the scholarship of teaching and learning as well as provide evidence for institutional effectiveness. Though SLOs have been present in the institutional landscape for many years, colleges are still struggling to establish a consistent and sustained program for outcomes assessment. Many college departments have developed SLO assessment plans but continue to face challenges in their implementation. Through interviews with key individuals involved in the SLO assessment process at a California community college, this study investigates the factors that can affect the ability of institutions to implement and institutionalize outcomes assessment efforts. (Contains 1 table.)