Committee Information

The charter of each Committee is approved by the Board and the general descriptions and responsibilities of each Committee is included in the Association Bylaws. Committees are comprised of volunteers and are led by Chairs with the support of Board Liaisons. Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Board Liaisons of the Committees transition leadership annually in July. The names, descriptions, and leadership of each active Committee are listed below.

Volunteer on a Committee

The AALHE volunteer community is an active group of assessment professionals around the nation who come together to share their knowledge and gain experience in their field. As a volunteer, you can make valuable professional connections, learn new skills, and help AALHE continually improve. Learn more about volunteering on an AALHE Committee and sign up on the AALHE Volunteer Form.

Volunteer on an AALHE Committee

Active Committees 2025-2026

Conference

Chair: Allison Chatterjee Co-Chair: Frederick Burrack; [email protected]

The Conference Committee makes recommendations for the conference experience, supports the proposal process, and plans activities to engage conference attendees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Chairs: Sesime Adanu Vice Chair: Lucia Santacruz Board Liaison: Divya Bheda

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee shall work to promote principles and practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization and the assessment field at large.

Professional Development Committee

Co-Chairs: Ryan Smith, Laura Lundquist Board Liaison: Will Miller
[email protected]

The Professional Development Committee (PDC) organizes and hosts AALHE Webinars and other virtual professional development activities that can be open to the overall assessment professional community.

Emerging Dialogues Committee

Chair Jennifer Ann Morrow, Co-Chair: Yan Cooksey Board Liaison: Gina Polychronopoulos [email protected]

The Emerging Dialogues Committee shall coordinate and publish original or responsive articles that discuss the challenges that higher education professionals face.

Intersection Committee

Chair: Fiorella Penaloza, Vice-Chair: Kimberely Nettleton Assistant Vice-Chair: Amy Heston Board Liaison: Rebecca Gibbons Editor-In-Chief: Sarah Wu [email protected]

The Intersection Committee shall coordinate and publish peer-reviewed articles focused on student learning assessment in higher education for professional development and the advancement of knowledge through scholarship. Committee members are expected to review or edit manuscripts. (To have full engagement and obtain reviewer/editor training, we encourage volunteers to join this committee at the beginning of the academic year, no later than October each year)

Assessment Learning Exchange

Chair: Shannon Helfinstine Co-Chair: Deborah Blanchard Board Liaison: Karen White-Goyzueta

The Assessment Learning Exchange (ALE) Committee shall plan and implement synchronous online discussions on topics of interest to members.

SPARK Discussions

Chair: Lisa Kopp Board Liaison: Reem Jaafar

SPARK (formerly Book Club) organizes and hosts book discussions for AALHE members.

SPARK Committee (Sharing Professional Assessment Reading and Knowledge)

The SPARK Committee fosters meaningful engagement, professional growth, and quality experiences for members of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE) through facilitated book discussions and related programming. By selecting thought-provoking works and guiding dialogue, the committee provides opportunities for critical reflection on assessment theory, practice, and higher education’s broader role in society.

SPARK aims to cultivate a community of assessment practitioners who learn from and support one another, while also serving as champions to lead and advocate for effective, ethical, and inclusive assessment. The committee encourages diverse perspectives and prioritizes social justice by ensuring that discussions highlight equity, access, and the lived experiences of all learners.

Member Engagement

Chair: Sarah Jacobs Vice-Chair: Laura Aboyan Liaison: Kara Moloney

The Membership Engagement Committee shall consult on survey design and construction; analyze and summarize data that pertain to member engagement; and provide the Board evidence-informed recommendations to enhance the value of membership. The committee shall develop, deliver, and/or facilitate activities and opportunities to welcome new members; foster engagement; and cultivate community for all members.