2025 Summit Registration Link: Summit Registration
- Single registration: $30
- Presenter registration: $15
- Group registration (3/$70): $70
- Group registration (5/$110): $110
- ERAU faculty/staff registration: $0
- Graduate student registration: $0
Ignite the Stars: Continuous Improvement Summit 2025
Feb. 26-28, 2025
Feb. 26-27: Fully Virtual
Feb. 28: Hybrid (Virtual and from Prescott, AZ)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is delighted to announce the Second Annual Continuous Improvement Summit, set to ignite the stars on Feb. 26-28. This three-day virtual event will bring together higher education leaders dedicated to fostering continuous improvement in their institutions.
This year’s theme, Ignite the Stars, captures the essence of our collective journey towards excellence in higher education. Just as stars illuminate the night sky, our efforts in continuous improvement light the path forward, guiding us to new heights in assessment, data utilization, institutional effectiveness, accreditation and student life.
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, evolving educational paradigms and increasing demands for accountability, the need for continuous improvement has never been more critical. The summit serves as a platform to explore these dynamic challenges, offering a space for thought leaders, practitioners and visionaries to exchange insights, share best practices and pioneer innovative solutions.
Our focus extends beyond theory to actionable outcomes. At Embry-Riddle, we believe that "the end of assessment is action" (Walvoord, 2010). This principle underscores the importance of translating insights into meaningful changes that enhance student success and institutional effectiveness. Our conference is designed to move from shared knowledge to actionable strategies, ensuring that every discussion and presentation leads to tangible improvements. We aim, like Jonson, Guetterman and Thompson (2014), to determine the "influence of the assessment enterprise."
The first day of the summit will feature interactive workshops and case-based discussions, providing practical tools and actionable insights. On the second day, we will spotlight groundbreaking research, success stories and innovative practices through engaging presentations. The final day is geared toward internal improvement efforts at Embry-Riddle, but registrants are welcomed to attend.
Session Types
Workshop (2-4 hours): Interactive, hands-on sessions aimed at providing participants with practical tools, in-depth knowledge and actionable strategies to drive continuous improvement in their institutions. Facilitators are expected to lead engaging, activity-based learning experiences that encourage collaboration, critical thinking and skill development. Workshops should focus on applied practice, discussions and guided problem-solving, ensuring that attendees leave equipped to implement new approaches in their professional contexts.
Case-Based Discussion (1 hour): Engaging exploration of a prepared 2-3 page fictional case related to themes such as continuous improvement, assessment, student life, institutional effectiveness, data utilization, or accreditation challenges. Moderators craft realistic scenarios and accompanying discussion questions to prompt thoughtful dialogue among participants. Attendees collaborate to share experiences, exchange strategies and collectively develop a range of potential solutions, deepening their understanding and practical approaches to similar challenges at their institutions.
Presentation (50 minutes): Designed to engage participants through informative, thought-provoking content that offers practical insights and actionable strategies. Presenters are expected to share their expertise, highlight innovative practices, showcase data-driven successes, or propose solutions to pressing challenges in higher education. Sessions should foster meaningful dialogue, encourage participant interaction and provide clear takeaways that attendees can apply within their own institutions.
Themes
We invite you to join us on this illuminating journey, where we will delve into the following key areas:
Exploring New Frontiers in Assessment
This theme encourages the exploration of holistic assessments that bridge academic and student affairs, raising the bar for comprehensive student development evaluations. What new challenges do we face in assessment today? What inventive methodologies and forward-thinking strategies are being employed on campuses to rise to these challenges? Whether we are debating the merits of historical assessment trend data, determining how to meaningfully disaggregate data, or crafting compelling continuous improvement data stories, we want to explore new approaches to the next frontier in assessment. Much like the aerospace industry creates new technology to navigate uncharted territories, higher education must develop innovative assessment practices to chart the path for embracive student success.
Assessment as a Catalyst for Student Success
This theme focuses on how academic, student affairs and operational improvements can all contribute to holistic student success, paving the way for greater achievements. Assessment often carries a negative connotation with faculty and staff who wonder what happens with the data they provide. Why has the narrative seemingly lagged in connecting assessment efforts with student success outcomes? Just as a well-coordinated flight crew ensures a smooth journey, effective assessment practices can enhance curriculum effectiveness and identify areas for service enhancement. Through tailored feedback and adaptive learning approaches, students receive personalized pathways that foster deeper understanding, retention and skill development.
Empowering Change Agents: Faculty and Staff
This theme explores how institutions have successfully cultivated a cadre of continuous improvement leaders and how we can prepare these leaders to have maximum impact, fostering a culture of innovation and proactive development. Empowering faculty and staff to lead continuous improvement is imperative. When faculty and staff take the helm of improvement, they serve as agents of change, ensuring that academic offerings and student support services are dynamic and relevant. Similar to how pilots and ground crews must be well-trained and equipped for a successful flight, institutions must provide the right tools, training, and support to faculty and staff.
Innovative Technology for Transformative Assessment
This theme shows how these technological advancements can be used to innovate assessment processes, ensuring they remain relevant, efficient and aligned with contemporary educational needs. Leveraging technology in assessment transforms traditional evaluation methods, infusing them with precision, scalability and adaptability. Modern tools offer real-time analytics, facilitating instant feedback and adaptive learning pathways. Digital portfolios, AI-driven assessments and interactive platforms can strengthen student engagement, enable more equitable assessment develop personalized and adaptive learning, and ensure comprehensive skill capture. Just as advanced avionics systems have revolutionized flight, these technological tools can elevate our assessment practices to new heights.
Data-Driven Decision-Making and Institutional Research
This theme looks at cutting-edge techniques in data collection, analysis and reporting that can propel your institution forward. In the world of aerospace, precise data and research are crucial for safe and efficient operations and for advancing new ideas. Similarly, in higher education, robust data and institutional research are essential for informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Learn about innovative uses of data and research to drive institutional effectiveness. Explore how institutions are harnessing data to uncover insights, inform policy and enhance student outcomes.
Cultivating a Continuous Improvement Culture
This theme delves into strategies for embedding continuous improvement into the fabric of your institution. Just as an aircraft requires regular maintenance to ensure peak performance, educational institutions must cultivate a culture of continuous improvement to secure top-tier excellence. From creating feedback loops that drive actionable change to fostering an environment where every stakeholder is committed to excellence, this track will provide insights and best practices for sustaining long-term improvement efforts.
Innovating Student Life and Engagement
This theme focuses on innovative approaches to enhancing student life through continuous improvement. Student life is an integral part of the higher education experience, contributing significantly to student development and success. Discover how institutions are reimagining student services, extracurricular activities and campus environments to better support student engagement and well-being. Share your successes and challenges in creating vibrant, supportive communities and practices that foster student growth and achievement.
Your participation is key to the success of this summit. By presenting, you will have the opportunity to showcase your expertise, connect with peers, hone your research ideas, and contribute to a collective vision of excellence in higher education.
We encourage you to submit your proposals by Jan. 10. Please include a brief abstract, your session format preference (workshop, case study or presentation) and a short biography. Submissions are welcome from all areas of higher education, including faculty, administrators and student affairs professionals.
Join us as we Ignite the Stars, lighting the way for the future of higher education. We look forward to your innovative contributions and to embarking on this journey of continuous improvement together.
Full Agenda
All times are EST.
Wednesday, February, 26
Virtual Workshops
9 a.m.-Noon | Idea to Impact: A Guide to Grant Development for Student Success | KayDee Parry and Marjorie Newman (The University of Olivet) |
10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Collaborative Student Journey Mapping for Continuous Improvement | Naima Wells (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
1-4 p.m. | Report Generation with Quatro | Laura Lambert (James Madison University) |
1:30-4:30 p.m. | Assessing and Aligning Your Offerings, Organization and Operations to Enable Student Success | Elliot Felix (Buro Happold) |
Case Study Discussions
Noon-1 p.m. | Facilitating Discussion on Faculty and Student Challenges in Improving Corse Evaluation Response Rates | Diana Maughan and Tasha Toy (Utah Tech University) |
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Integrating AI Into Classroom Assessment and Feedback Techniques: Cases for Critical AI Literacy | Amy Cicchino, Claudia Cornejo Happel, Chad Rohrbacher and Teha Cooks (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
3-4 p.m. | Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Case-Based Strategies for Streamlining Processes and Enhancing Collaboration | Katelyn Nelson and Danielle Farris (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
Thursday, February, 27
Virtual Conference Sessions and Panels
9:45-10 a.m. | Summit Welcome | Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
10-10:50 a.m. | AI Tools for Academic Research | Kevin Clark (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) |
The Cultural Reboot of Academic Assessment at Hampden-Sydney College |
Hunter DiPaolo and Rachel Smith (Hampden-Sydney College) |
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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mid-Term Course Micro-Survey for Students |
Peter O’Reilly and Rachel Vigness (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
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Seeing Is Believing: An Assessment Data Journey |
Andrea Gibson (Daytona State College) |
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Strategies for a Strong Foundation: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement |
Alaina Gunn (Grenville Technical College) |
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Thriving in a Dynamic World: Responsible Curriculum Development for Student Success |
Cameron Kiosoglous (Drexel University) |
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11-11:50 a.m. | Assessment Components Revision: A Collaborative Procedure for Re-Articulating and Aligning Program Curricula to Inform Effective and Efficient Assessment | Jeremy Reich (New Jersey Institute of Technology) |
Evaluating Institutional Performance Through a Comprehensive Framework for Excellence |
Bridget Dewees (Claflin University) |
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Get Your AI Wheels On and Learn to Drive | Bobbijo Pinnelli (Walden University) and Ruth Slotnick (Bridgewater State University) |
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One University — One Process for Assessment | Janet Thiel (Georgian Court University) |
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Personalizing Online Education Through the WE CARE Approach! |
Peter O’Reilly and Daisha Merritt (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
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Seeking Improvement Through Meta-Assessment | Lissette Tolentino (University of Florida) |
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Noon-12:50 p.m. | Assessment in Action: Igniting Continuous Improvement in General Education | Yan Cooksey (Southern Methodist University) |
Bridging Gaps: The Relevance of Faculty Coaching in Online Business Education |
Peter O’Reilly and Maria Petrescu (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
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Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement | Ryan Bye (University of Illinois Springfield) |
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Catching Substantive Change: How to Prevent Significant Institutional Changes From Slipping Through the Cracks |
Rachel Smith (Hampden-Sydney College) |
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Data-Informed Continuous Improvement of Communication & Professional Development for Program Assessment | Carrie Zack (Northern Illinois University) |
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Project Management Meets Quality Enhancement Planning: Building a Framework for Effective Topic Selection | Ashley Strong-Green and Michael St. John (Augusta University) | |
Triangulating Perspectives for Effective Assessment and Continuous Improvement |
Christina Sax (Maryland University of Integrative Health) |
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1-1:50 p.m. | Keynote: Accreditation + Assessment: What Went Wrong? | David Eubanks (Furman University) |
2-2:50 p.m. | Behind the Scenes: Enhancing Student Experience Through Administrative Assessment | Rob Berwick (Jacksonville University), Julie Ferguson (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), Resche Hines (Trivium BI), Kelli Rainey (NACUBO) and Alby Salsa (Raven Eye Consulting) Moderator: Naima Wells |
Pathways to Progress: Driving Continuous Improvement for Student Success | Daniel Bureau (University of Kentucky), Aaron Clevenger (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), Elliot Felix (Buro Happold) and Andrew Pollom (University of Southern Maine) Moderator: Will Miller |
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Rethinking Assessment: What Works, What’s Outdated and What’s Next | Katie Boyd (Auburn University), David Eubanks (Furman University), and Gabriel Rodriguez (University of Massachusetts – Amherst) Moderator: Katie Boyd |
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3-3:50 p.m. | Assessment 2.0: The Future of Technology-Driven Continuous Improvement | Erica Eckert (Kent State University), Summer Jackson (Anthology), Glenn Phillips (Watermark) and Jenna Ralicki (HelioCampus) Moderator: Erica Eckert |
Bridging the Gap: Partnering With Faculty for Meaningful Academic Assessment | Tamara Caudill (Jacksonville University), Mitchel Cottenoir (University of North Carolina at Charlotte), Raijanel Crockem (Texas Sothern University) and Kelly George (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) Moderator: Karen Pain |
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Evolving Together: The Essential Role of Student Affairs Assessment in Continuous Improvement | Renee Delgado-Riley (University of Oregon), Joe Levy (Excelsior University), Ellissa Brooks Nelson (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) and KayDee Perry (University of Olivet) Moderator: Naima Wells |
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4-4:50 p.m. | A Coherent Data Model for Learning Assessment | Douglas Walcerz (Lee University) |
Designing Assessments to Mitigate Test-Wiseness and Guessing | Kevin Clark (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) | |
Developing a Dynamic Partnership Between Industry and Colleges | Peter O’Reilly (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) and Matthew Earnhardt (Nashville International Airport) | |
The Hunt Library Resource Review Cycle | Deborah Prosser, Shannon Herlihy and Hayley Bommarit (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
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Innovating Continuous Improvement: A Framework for Standard 8.2a Excellence | Daniel Marshall (Virginia Military Institute) | |
Using the CAS Standards for Improvement in Student Services | Daniel Bureau (University of Kentucky) | |
5-5:50 p.m. | Assessment Culture ISO a New Petri Dish: Time to Contaminate the Status Quo | Josie Welsh (LeTourneau University) and Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
Empowering Accreditation: Exploring Innovative Strategies and Dynamic Tools for Continuous Improvement | Melisa Pierce (Whiddon College of Medicine) | |
Empowering Faculty and Staff to Lead University Improvement Through a Service Design Mindset | Will Roberts (Methodist College) | |
From Mandates to Meaning: Building a Culture of Assessment That Matters | Missy Nieveen Phegley (Southeast Missouri State University) | |
Making Use of Mismatches: Hacking AAC&U Rubrics to Assess General Education Competencies | Taylor Mitchell, Michele Gazica, Andrea Irish and Jessica McKee (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) | |
Plan, Do, Think: Faculty Reflection-Driven Course Design Review | Michelle Green (University of Alabama in Huntsville) | |
Transforming Student Achievement: Leveraging Power BI Dashboards for Data-Driven Insights and Continuous Improvement | Qiong (June) Zhou and Ricky Mercado (Baylor College of Medicine) | |
6-6:50 p.m. | Summit Conclusion | Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
Friday, February 28
ERAU Hybrid Professional Development (Prescott, AZ, and Virtual — All Registrants Welcome)
LH = Lower Hangar, P = Planetarium, Z = Zoom Events
Academic Assessment Track
10-10:20 a.m. | LH | Breakfast Served | |
10:20-10:30 a.m. | LH, Z | Introduction | Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
10:30-11:30 a.m. | P, Z | Assessment 101: Best Practices and Lessons Learned | Lisa Kopp, Karen Pain and Naima Wells (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
Noon-1 p.m. | P, Z | Best of Academic Assessment | Ghazal Barari, Angela Cheatham, Mark Miller, Taylor Mitchell and Brian Roggow (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
1-1:45 p.m. | P, Z | Best Practices: Writing an Academic Assessment Plan | Karen Pain, Lisa Kopp and Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
2-2:30 p.m. | LH | Lunch Served | |
2:15-2:30 p.m. | LH, Z | Continuous Improvement Champion Awards | Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
2:30-3:30 p.m. | LH, Z | Keynote | Megan Rodgers Good (James Madison University) |
3:45-4:45 p.m. | LH, Z | Use of Assessment Results for Improvement and Strategic Planning | Debra Bourdeau, Mike Canada, Shawn Doherty and Amy Grubb (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
4:45-5:45 p.m. | LH, Z | Turning Numbers Into Narratives: Data-Informed Decision Making and Storytelling | Dale Amburgey and Lisa Kopp (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
Administrative and Student Services Assessment Track
10-10:20 a.m. | LH | Breakfast Served | |
10:20-10:30 a.m. | LH, Z | Introduction | Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
10:30-11:30 a.m. | LH, Z | Assessment 101: Best Practices and Lessons Learned |
Lisa Kopp, Karen Pain and Naima Wells (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | LH, Z | Best of Administrative Assessment | Mary Brown, Amy Deahl, and Laura Pope Robbins (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
12:45-1:45 p.m. | LH, Z | Best Practices: Writing an Administrative Assessment Plan | Naima Wells and Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
2-2:30 p.m. | LH | Lunch Served | |
2:15-2:30 p.m. | LH, Z | Continuous Improvement Champion Awards | Will Miller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
2:30-3:30 p.m. | LH, Z | Keynote | Megan Rodgers Good (James Madison University) |
4-5 p.m. | P, Z | Best Practices in Writing SLOs for Administrative Assessment Plans | Shannon McCosker, Jennifer Schaeffer, Lisa Schlegel and Amy Williams (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
5-5:45 p.m. | P, Z | Collaborative Systems Mapping for Administrative Effectiveness | Naima Wells (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) |
For highlights of the 2024 Inaugural Continuous Improvement Summit, please visit our Summit 2024 page.
Contact Us
Dr. Will Miller
Associate Vice President for Continuous Improvement & Institutional Performance
SACSCOC Liaison
Email: will.miller@erau.edu