S.P.A.R.K. (formerly Book Club)

Curious about fairness in assessment? Enjoy reading and seminar-style discussion and listening? Join the AALHE, members-only, SPARK (formerly Book Club). The SPARK discussions (held online via Zoom) are facilitated by a discussion leader. All AALHE members are encouraged to participate: diverse perspectives and ideas are welcomed and valued. SPARK is one way that the AALHE cultivates a community of assessment practitioners.

Spring Discussion: "Lightening the Load: Using Humor to Lead and Inspire in Assessment" April 9, 2026 2:00-3:00pm ET / 1:00-2:00pm CT / 12:00-1:00pm MT / 11:00am-12:00pm PT Online via Zoom.

Julie Morrison	Angela Miller	Karen Pain

 

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Assessment work is serious—but we don’t have to be serious all the time to do it well. Drawing on ideas from Humor, Seriously, this interactive session explores how humor and levity can make assessment leaders more effective in their day-to-day work. Assessment practitioners from AALHE’s Sharing Professional Assessment Reading and Knowledge (SPARK) committee will explore research, stories, and practical examples of using humor to:

• build trust with colleagues,
• make meetings and reporting more engaging, and
• communicate about results in ways people actually remember.

Participants will leave with small, realistic strategies they can try in their own contexts—no stand-up skills required.

 

Higher education assessment professionals, institutional effectiveness staff, faculty and staff assessment leaders, and anyone interested in using humor to improve collaboration and engagement around assessment are encouraged to attend this event during National Assessment Week.

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