UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research (OPAIR) has designated its inaugural cohort of Assessment Champions for 2024-25. This new program recognizes individuals who are deeply committed to enhancing student learning through learning assessment.

“Formal and informal assessment leaders exist in every academic program at the University, but their work is largely unrecognized,” said Betty Harper, assistant vice provost for assessment. “OPAIR wanted to put a spotlight on those individuals and the important contributions that they make to student success.”

The 2024-25 Assessment Champions are:

• Janelle Gruber, lecturer in corporate communication, Penn State Schuylkill; Northeast Corporate Communication Consortium coordinator.
• Erin Hanses, assistant teaching professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, and of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, Penn State University Park.
• Glenna Malcolm, associate teaching professor of biology, Penn State University Park.
• Gina Pazzaglia, teaching professor and director of the master of professional studies in nutritional sciences, Penn State University Park.
• Cecil Shelton, instructor in statistics; course coordinator for STAT 200, Penn State University Park and World Campus.
• Karin Sprow Forté, associate teaching professor and chair of teacher education, Penn State Harrisburg.

While faculty and staff throughout the University make important contributions to learning assessment projects, Assessment Champions play a pivotal role in advancing the quality of education by applying assessment best practices, advocating for student success, and fostering a collaborative culture of continuous improvement around student learning.

Assessment Champions are nominated by their peers and the University Committee on the Assessment of Learning. This year’s Assessment Champions will partner with OPAIR to advance their assessment efforts, share their unique expertise with the University community, and establish procedures for future cohorts.

“OPAIR is so excited to be collaborating with this group to shape the future of this program, but this is just the start,” said Harper. “Their most important task during this first year is to help us find ways to recognize and support all faculty and staff who support assessment.”

Any questions about the Assessment Champion program can be directed to assessment@psu.edu.