Continuous Improvement Summit

11-11:50 a.m.

• From Hype to Practice: Artificial Intelligence in Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness (Panel)
  Moderator: Lisa Kopp, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Ruth Slotnick, Bridgewater State University; John Hathcoat, James Madison University; Jonathan McMichael, Arizona State University; Amy Heston, Walsh University

• From Parallel Paths to Shared Practice: Aligning Assessment, SoTL, and Teaching & Learning Centers (Panel)
  Moderator: Rebecca Gibbons, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Claudia Cornejo Happel, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Laura Cruz, Penn State University; Kevin Guidry, University of Notre Dame; Karen Singer-Freeman, George Washington University

• Beyond Participation: Assessing Learning in the Co-Curriculum (Panel)
  Moderator: Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Aaron Clevenger, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Katie Boyd, Auburn University; Elissa Brooks Nelson, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Bri Lauka, Towson University

Noon-12:50 p.m. Tuesday Keynote

• Beyond the Checkbox: Using Change Management to Transform Assessment from Compliance into Improvement (Keynote)
  Speaker: Gavin Henning, University of New England

1-3 p.m.

• Building a University Where Improvement Thrives (2 Hour Workshop)
  Speaker: Stephen Ehrmann, George Washington University (retired)

1-4 p.m.

• Automating Reports (3 Hour Workshop)
  Speaker: David Eubanks, Furman University

• Designing for Justice: Building Equity-Centered Data Visualizations (3 Hour Workshop)
  Speakers: Joanna Boeing, Bridgewater State University; Laura Lambert, James Madison University

• Creative Methods for Visualizing and Disseminating Assessment Data (3 Hour Workshop)
  Speakers: Jennifer Morrow, University of Tennessee

• Increasing the Value of Assessment:  Focusing on Faculty, and Student Learning (3 Hour Workshop)
  Speaker: Teresa (Terri) Flateby, TL Flateby Higher Education and Assessment Consultant

• Reflection as a Catalyst for Continuous Improvement in AI-Enhanced Learning (3 Hour Workshop)
  Speakers: Jeff Yan, Digication; Kelly Driscoll, Digication

3-5 p.m.

• Mapping the Student Journey (2 Hour Workshop)
  Speaker: Naima Wells, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

4-4:50 p.m.

• From Plan to Practice: Creating Change That Matters (Presentation)
  Speaker: Erin Bentrim, eLumen

• From Data to Decisions: Building Capacity for Student Success Through Data Literacy (Presentation)
  Speaker: Brittany Hollins, Alabama State University

• Dialogue, Not Duplication: Fostering Confidence and Consistency in Assessment Plan Evaluation through AI-Human Socratic Review (Presentation)
  Speaker: Laurie Sheldon, University of Arizona

• Curriculum Mapping in Action: Using Maps to Drive Faculty Engagement and Institutional Success (Presentation)
  Speakers: Cindy Williamson, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; April Matthews, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Grace Peters, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

• The Culture Shift Cafe: Brewing Better Practices Across Campus (Presentation)
  Speakers: Missy Nieveen Phegley, Southeast Missouri State University; Christy Mershon, Southeast Missouri State University; Kris Baranovic, Southeast Missouri State University

• Why Do We Do This? Reframing the Value of Measuring Student Learning (Presentation)
  Speaker: Karen Pain, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

10-10:50 a.m.

• Reimagining Accreditation: A Conversation with New Accreditor Presidents (Panel)
  Moderator: Kelli Rainey, NACUBO
  Confirmed Panelists: Stephen Pruitt, SACSCOC; Beth Bjerke, AABI

11:00-11:50 a.m.

• Beyond Compliance: Advancing Assessment in Student Affairs (Panel)
  Moderator: Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Renee Delgado-Riley, University of South Carolina; Dan Kaczmarek, University at Buffalo; Shaun Boren, University of Florida; Sarah LaFrance, James Madison University

• Measuring What Matters: Selecting Effective Evidence of Student Learning (Panel)
  Moderator: Karen Pain, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Tara Rose, Louisiana State University; Megan Good, James Madison University; Jarek Janio, Santa Ana College; Reem Jaafar, Queensborough Community College

• Accreditation as Improvement Infrastructure: Navigating Change, Accountability, and Innovation (Panel)
  Moderator: Rebecca Gibbons, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Cheri Clavier, East Tennessee State University; Tim Letzring, University of Central Florida; Susan Phillips, University of Albany

Noon-12:50 p.m. Wednesday Keynote

• 3 Years AI-go: Insights for the Future-Past (Keynote)
  Speaker: Lance Eaton, Northeastern University

1-1:50 p.m.

• Narratives That Break Barriers: Using Story to Connect Learning Across Campus (Presentation)
  Speaker: Kadijah Benson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• Navigating White Waters: Generation Z Untraditional College Transition Amid Unprecedented Social, Health, and Academic Crisis (Presentation)
  Speaker: Patrick Turner, Clark Atlanta University

• Grading with Consistency Across Sections Through Customized Rubrics: A Mixed-Methods Study (Presentation)
  Speakers: Kelly George, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Shontell Woods, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• Soaring Together: Bridging Academic and Military Missions through Shared Institutional Effectiveness (Presentation)
  Speakers: Christine Ross, Air University – HQ; Andrea Bakker, Air University – AFIT; Angela Jowers, Air University – AFGC; Mark Calandra, Air University

• Connecting Student Wellness to Retention: Insights and Strategies (Presentation)
  Speaker: Li Kang, University of Alabama

1-2:30 p.m.

• Introduction to the AI-Native Classroom (Presentation)
  Speaker: France Hoang, BoodleBox

2-2:50 p.m.

• Driving a Culture of Assessment and Continuous Improvement with SNAC (Presentation)
  Speaker: Will Roberts, Nebraska Methodist College

• From Compliance to Culture: ImprovE as a Living System for Continuous Improvement (Presentation)
  Speakers: Chris Duke, San Jacinto College; Michelle Selk, San Jacinto College; Rashmi Chhetri, San Jacinto College; Kennedy Washington, San Jacinto College

• Narrative and Story-telling: Assessment and Continuous Improvement (Presentation)
  Speakers: Esha Chatterjee, Santa Clara University; Divya Bheda, Santa Clara University; Kyle Amore, Santa Clara University

• Thriving from the Bottom Up: Using Department-Led Assessment to Change the Curriculum (Presentation)
  Speakers: Taylor Joy Mitchell, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Caitlin Martin, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• Identifying Suitable Data for Student Success (Presentation)
  Speakers: Kathleen Embry, American InterContinental University System; Mukul Bhalla, American InterContinental University System

3-3:50 p.m.

• Using Data to Illuminate Attrition: A New Lens for Continuous Improvement in Student Success (Presentation)
  Speakers: Qiong (June) Zhou, Baylor College of Medicine; Ricky Mercado, Baylor College of Medicine

• Charting Success Beyond Compliance: Leveraging Real-Time Data and Early Alerts for Data-Driven Student Support (Presentation)
  Speakers: Daisha Merritt, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Rachel Rodriquez, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• Building Leadership Pipelines and a Continuous Improvement Mindset through an Innovative Accreditation Self-Study Model (Presentation)
  Speakers: Christina Sax, CSC Education; Deneb Falabella, Notre Dame of Maryland University

• Teaching Institutions to Fish with AI: Building Sustainable Capacity for Continuous Improvement (Presentation)
  Speakers: Yan Cooksey, Southern Methodist University; Jodi Robison, Brigham Young University- Idaho

• Planning for the Future by Looking into the Past (Presentation)
  Speaker: Andrew Luna, Virginia Military Institute

3-4:30 p.m.

• Deep Dive into Custom Bot Building (Presentation)
  Speaker: France Hoang, BoodleBox

4-4:50 p.m.

• Less Mystery, More Mastery: Demystifying Assessment One Conversation at a Time (Presentation)
  Speakers: Kris Byrd, UNC Wilmington; Joyce Bahhouth, UNC Wilmington; Jennifer McBride, UNC Wilmington

• Why Improvement is Hard (Presentation)
  Speaker: David Eubanks, Furman University

• Learning How to Learn How to Improve: Building Mid-Career Higher Education Improvers (Case-Based Discussion)
  Speaker: Juliette Price, NASH Center for Postsecondary Improvement

• Undercurrents in AI and Education: Rethinking Equity and Accountability (Case-Based Discussion)
  Speakers: Kevin Wright, Southern New Hampshire University; Ciji Heiser, Co-Creating Action; Joseph Levy, Excelsior University

• Community Building Across Disciplinary Silos Using a Student-Partner Co-Created Assessment Model (Presentation)
  Speakers: Jen McKanry, University of Missouri - St. Louis; Emily Litle, University of Missouri - St. Louis

• Stop Reinventing the Wheel: Using an Existing 4DX Framework to Propel Non-Academic Assessment (Presentation)
  Speaker: Alaina Gunn, Greenville Technical College

11-11:50 a.m.

• Human Judgment in an Algorithmic Age: Using AI to Advance Student Success (Panel)
  Moderator: Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: KayDee Perry, University of Olivet; Jared Tippetts, Southern Utah University; Andrew Pollom, University of Southern Maine; Elaine White, Vaughn College

• Buying the System or Solving the Problem? Rethinking Assessment Technology Decisions (Panel)
  Moderator: Karen Pain, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Summer Jackson, Anthology; Glenn Phillips, Watermark; Jerry Anderson, eLumen; Jayme Kerr, SPOL; Jenna Ralicki, HelioCampus

• Leading the Work While Redesigning the Work: Change Management in Institutional Effectiveness (Panel)
  Moderator: Naima Wells, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Confirmed Panelists: Sarah Stoeckle, Eastern Florida State College; Keston Fulcher, James Madison University; Jeanna Mastrodicasa, University of Florida; Cindy Cogswell, New York University; Pamelyn Shefman, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Noon-12:50 p.m. Thursday Keynote

• From AI-Enabled to AI-Native: Leading the Inflection in Higher Education (Keynote)
  Speaker: France Hoang, BoodleBox

1-1:50 p.m.

• Stuck on Repeat: Case Study Exploration on Overcoming Stagnation in Assessment and Program Review (Case-Based Discussion)
  Speaker: Ashley Strong-Green, Augusta University

• Human-Centered Generative AI for Continuous Improvement: Practical Tools for Program-Level Assessment (Presentation)
  Speakers: Gloria Rogers, ABET; Robyn Hall, ABET

• Beyond Compliance: Continuous Improvement as Daily Practice in Student Support Units (Presentation)
  Speaker: Shannon McCosker, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

• From Data to Decisions: How a Campus-Wide Data Retreat Sparked a Culture of Continuous Improvement (Presentation)
  Speakers: Christopher Petrie, Northwestern Health Sciences University; Angel Radick, Northwestern Health Sciences University

• The Elephant in the Room: Building an Assessment Culture to Meet the Challenge of Program Review (Presentation)
  Speakers: Kristy Byrd, UNC Wilmington; Paul Townend, UNC Wilmington

• How Assessment Fuels Collaboration: Lessons from The Connected College (Presentation)
  Speaker: Elliot Felix, The Connected College

2-2:50 p.m.

• Well, This Escalated Quickly: Welcome to Assessment (Presentation)
  Speaker: Erica Eckert, Kent State University

• Luddite to Luminary: Embracing AI for Institutional Effectiveness (Presentation)
  Speaker: Christine Ross, Air University

• Advancing Institutional Effectiveness Through Strategic Alignment (Presentation)
  Speakers: Caroline Young, Baylor College of Medicine; Anju Bolton, Baylor College of Medicine

• From Gotcha to Growth: AI-Ready Assessment in Higher Education (Presentation)
  Speaker: Nathan Holloway, Adams State University

• What Three Waves of a National Survey Reveal About GenAI Adoption in Assessment (Presentation)
  Speakers: Bobbijo Pinnelli, Walden University; Joanna Boeing, Bridgewater State University; Ruth Slotnick, Bridgewater State University

• Unequal Slopes: Mapping Disparities in Calculus Student Success
   (Presentation)
  Speakers: Esha Chatterjee, Santa Clara University; Divya Bheda, Santa Clara University; Linda Burks, Santa Clara University

• Double-Dipping: Making Assessment Valuable for Accreditation and Academic Program Review (Presentation)
  Speaker: Karen Pain, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

3-3:50 p.m.

• Building a University Where Improvement Thrives (Presentation)
  Speaker: Stephen Ehrmann, George Washington University (retired)

• Navigating by Instruments, Not Instinct: Case Studies in Compliance Drift, Governance Gaps, and Regulation (Case-Based Discussion)
  Speakers: Danielle Farris, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Katelyn Nelson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• Connecting Learning and Life: Collaborative Career Development Programming That Cultivates Intrinsic Motivation (Presentation)
  Speakers: Elisha Lawrence, Middle Tennessee State University; Beka Moore, Middle Tennessee State University

• Adopting an Intentional Approach to Incorporating AI with TLC (Teaching, Learning, Curriculum) (Presentation)
  Speakers: Mukul Bhalla, American InterContinental University System; Kerry Keller, American InterContinental University; Kathy Embry, American InterContinental University

• Looking Back to Look Forwards: What AI Will Not Change in the Future of Education (Presentation)
  Speaker: Cam Kiosoglous, Drexel University

• Feedback Friday: Evolving student evaluation mechanisms in a new curriculum (Presentation)
  Speakers: Greg Null, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Allison Serra, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Katie Maietta, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

4-5 p.m.

• From Optimism to Worry: How Students View AI in Education and Future Careers (Presentation)
  Speakers: Ma'Kiah Floyd, James Madison University; John Hathcoat, James Madison University; Kaijie Liu, James Madison University

• Advancing Transfer Student Success through Continuous Improvement (Case-Based Discussion)
  Speaker: Juliette Price, NASH Center for Postsecondary Improvement

• Using a Faculty Liaison Model to Build an Assessment-Forward Campus Culture (Presentation)
  Speakers: Jen McKanry, University of Missouri - St. Louis; Anne Austin, University of Missouri - St. Louis; Emily Litle, University of Missouri - St. Louis

• Boosting Institutional Effectiveness through Visualization and Communication (Presentation)
  Speakers: Cindy Williamson, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; April Matthews, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Grace Peters, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

• From Fragmentation to Focus: Charting a New Path for Student Retention with Assistive AI (Presentation)
  Speaker: Stacy Ybarra, Our Lady of the Lake University

• Generative AI Literacy in 2026 Classrooms: Where are we, and where do we need to be? (Presentation)
  Speaker: Hunter Castleton, James Madison University

10-10:50 a.m.

New Faculty Tool to Explore Canvas Rubric Data for Insight (Presentation)
Speaker: Karen Pain, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Aaron Murphy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

From Intent to Impact: A Collaborative Playbook for Disciplinary Accreditation at ERAU (Presentation)
Speaker: Rebecca Gibbons, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Demystifying APR: Administrative Program Review Essentials (Presentation)
Speakers: Naima Wells, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

11-11:50 a.m.

Breaking Down Silos: Best Practices Roundtable (Panel)
Speakers: Naima Wells, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Breaking Down Silos: Academic Collaboration in Practice (Panel)
Speaker: Karen Pain, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Noon-12:50 p.m. Friday Keynote

Charting a Course to Institutional Success: Why Academics Matters (Keynote)
Speaker: Brian Smentkowski, University of Alaksa System

1-1:50 p.m.

Award Presentations and the State of Continuous Improvement at Embry-Riddle (Presentation)
Speaker: Will Miller, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

2-2:50 p.m.

Best of the Win Files: Using Data for Improvement (Presentation)
Speakers: Naima Wells, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

2-3:50 p.m.

Pre-flight Check: Preparing for Fall 2026 Reporting and Planning in Anthology (2 Hour Workshop)
Speaker: Karen Pain, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

3-3:50 p.m.

Flight Plan to Impact: Turning Data into Action in Operational and Student Support Services (Presentation)
Speakers: Naima Wells, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

4-4:50 p.m.

Evidence at Your Fingertips: Navigating ERAU's IR Survey Dashboards for Accreditation Success (Presentation)
Speakers: Rebecca Gibbons, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Sara Walden, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Curriculum Mapping to Ensure Curricular Coherence (Presentation)
Speaker: Will Miller, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The Institutional Ecosystem: Connecting Daily Work to Big Impact (Presentation)
Speakers: Naima Wells, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Kayla Waggoner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

 

Learn more about Blackboard 

 

 

Learn more about Chris Sax Consulting

Hands-on, interactive sessions focused on practical tools, frameworks, or strategies participants can immediately apply. Workshops should include structured activities, small group work or problem-solving challenges.

Moderated conversations based on a 2-3 page fictional case, prompting participants to examine a challenge and co-develop a range of responses.

Dynamic sessions that highlight innovative practices, successful strategies or emerging research in continuous improvement. Presenters should engage the audience and provide actionable takeaways.

Higher education is at a turning point. Artificial Intelligence, especially generative AI, is already transforming how we communicate, teach, advise, and improve. This track will include sessions from the GenAI Community of Practice (co-sponsored with the Assessment Institute), spotlighting how AI can elevate faculty work, enable real-time feedback loops and accelerate change. This is not a conversation about replacing educators. It’s about empowering them and using AI to make better, faster, more human-centered decisions. Whether you’re experimenting with AI tools or developing institutional frameworks, we invite you to help lead the movement.

This theme explores how institutions are redefining how they understand and improve student learning by bridging academic and student life experiences. By integrating insights across classrooms, co-curricular activities and support services, colleges can build a more complete picture of student development. We invite strategies that use disaggregated data, new methodologies and compelling storytelling to elevate how we capture and act on what matters most: student growth.

Student life is a cornerstone of student success and ripe for innovation. This track explores how student affairs professionals are reimagining leadership development, residence life, campus programming and co-curricular learning with a continuous improvement mindset. We welcome sessions that integrate data use, equity and innovative student engagement strategies that show results and inspire action.

Creating change isn’t just about new systems — it’s about new norms. This track is dedicated to the people, structures and conversations that make continuous improvement part of daily life. How are you fostering cross-campus collaboration, building leadership pipelines or transforming how improvement work is supported and celebrated?

This track focuses on how institutions are using data smartly, ethically and creatively to support student retention, progression and achievement. From institutional research breakthroughs to predictive analytics and real-time performance dashboards, we want to explore how data is being used to inform strategy, not just reporting.

Each year, as part of the Continuous Improvement Summit, Embry-Riddle honors two individuals and two programs/offices with Continuous Improvement Champion Awards.

New in 2026, the Continuous Improvement Summit will award two individual awards and two institutional awards. More information on nominations and applications will be available in the coming months.

The Polaris Award

Honoring Institutional Innovation That Lights the Way

Named for the North Star, long relied upon for navigation and guidance, the Polaris Award is presented to an institution whose forward-thinking initiative has set a new standard in continuous improvement. Whether through a transformative student success strategy, a novel use of technology or a reimagined approach to academic or operational effectiveness, the recipient institution demonstrates broad impact, clear results and a model that can guide others across the sector.

The Constellation Award

Recognizing Cross-Campus Collaboration and Unified Improvement Culture

The Constellation Award celebrates an institution that has successfully fostered alignment and synergy across traditionally siloed units — academic, student affairs, administrative or otherwise — to advance a shared culture of improvement. Like the stars forming a constellation, this institution’s efforts reflect coordination, clarity and cohesion, demonstrating that true excellence emerges when different parts of a campus community work together with intentionality and purpose.

2024

Taylor Mitchell
Sarah Thomas
Worldwide: Singapore
Daytona Beach: BS Global Conflict Studies

 

2025

Debra Bourdeau
Amy Deahl
Prescott: Student Support Services
Daytona Beach: General Education Program