HLC Assessment Academy Holds Oct. 2024 Graduation

HLC held a two-day Assessment Academy gathering in October marking the graduation of 19 member institutions. 

In addition to honoring the academy graduates, the event for new, mid-term and graduating Academy participants provided opportunities for networking and demonstrations of the work completed in the four-year program that emphasizes use of assessment tools as a means for improving student learning and engagement.  

The event featured speakers, roundtable discussions and poster presentations on Academy projects.

The new graduates included:  

• Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Martinsburg, West Virginia 
• Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque, New Mexico 
• College for Financial Planning, Inc., Centennial, Colorado  
• Dakota College, Bottineau, North Dakota 
• Danville Area Community College, Danville, Illinois 
• Divine Word College, Epworth, Iowa 
• Eastern Iowa Community College District, Davenport, Iowa 
• Fontbonne University, St. Louis, Missouri 
• Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale, Arizona 
• Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, Missouri 
• North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 
• Pratt Community College, Pratt, Kansas 
• Rock Valley College, Rockford, Illinois 
• Southeast Technical College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 
• Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Logan, West Virginia 
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Fennimore, Wisconsin 
• St. Cloud Technical and Community College, St. Cloud, Minnesota 
• University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 
• University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas 

Projects highlighted during the showcase included ongoing faculty engagement and development at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and at North Dakota State University, alignment of learning with outcomes at Dakota College of Bottineau and at Central New Mexico Community College, simplification and streamlining of data collection at Metropolitan Community College and at Rock Valley College, and implementation of assessment practices across programs at University of the Ozarks and the Eastern Iowa Community College District.   

Graduating team members all started the Assessment Academy together in fall 2020 when facilities and in-person programs were shuttered due to the Covid 19 pandemic.  

During the sessions, each shared stories about dealing with the challenge, and also received final feedback from Academy mentors on next steps for assessment projects.  

“This was one of our largest and most diverse classes to graduate from the Assessment Academy. We look forward to the strides these graduates are making toward continuous improvement through assessment,” said Barbara Gellman-Danley, president of HLC.  

Applications for the next Assessment Academy will open in spring 2025. Learn more.