AALHE Member Spotlight

Yao Zhang Hill
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Years in Assessment: 17 years

• 2021-Present: Chair of the Assessment Learning Exchange Committee
• 2020: Vice Chair of the Assessment Learning Exchange Committee
• 2020-2021: Member of the President’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• 2017-2020: Member of the Recruitment and Retention Committee

My path to assessment began with a specialization in language testing and measurement during my Ph.D. studies. Along the way, I also received formal training in curriculum design and program evaluation, which broadened my perspective on how learning is structured and evaluated. My first professional role as an institutional researcher at Kapi‘olani Community College provided invaluable training in collaborative leadership, particularly in facilitating effective and inclusive meetings. This combination of technical expertise, systems thinking, and a collaborative mindset naturally led me to my current role as a faculty member at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where I lead the Assessment and Curriculum Support Center.

AALHE is a nurturing and supportive professional community. Through attending multiple annual conferences, I’ve learned from colleagues across the nation about innovative and practical approaches to advancing program learning assessment. I’ve also had the privilege of serving on several AALHE committees, where I learned so much from my colleagues. Each committee member brought a unique style of professionalism, and together, they showed me different ways to be an effective, thoughtful, and high-functioning contributor. Along the way, those collaborations naturally grew into lasting friendships that continue to support and inspire me. Leading the Assessment Learning Exchange Committee in the past five years has been deeply fulfilling—it allows me to give back to the AALHE community by bringing together hundreds of colleagues to share resources, challenges, and successes. The generosity of AALHE members, who freely share their time, expertise, and care, has given me a profound sense of professional belonging.

I believe assessment will become more deeply integrated into the broader ecosystem of educational quality. With continued advancements in learning management systems—such as Canvas and D2L Brightspace—we are moving toward a model where course-level assessments serve multiple purposes and support decision-making at the course, program, and institutional levels. Automated data visualizations will make assessment results more accessible and meaningful to both instructors and students, ultimately strengthening the feedback loop for curriculum improvement and helping faculty use assessment as an integral part of teaching and learning.

Generative AI also holds great potential to enhance both the efficiency of assessment workflows and the quality of tools like assignments and rubrics. As these technologies evolve, assessment professionals must stay informed and skilled in leveraging them, not only to streamline processes but also to create space for more collaborative interpretation of learning evidence across multiple sources.

Regardless of how accreditation requirements may shift, the need for assessment professionals to provide strategic, system-level insights into educational quality will not diminish. In fact, it may become even more critical in the absence of external oversight.

Build relationships—they are at the heart of meaningful and sustainable assessment work. Focus on supporting one program at a time and meet people where they are. Use existing resources generously; don’t hesitate to adapt others’ effective practices to fit your unique institutional context.

Collaborate widely, especially through joint projects and national committees like those organized by AALHE. These opportunities help you build connections with peers across the country and expose you to diverse approaches to assessment, communication, and leadership.

And above all—document your work and make time to reflect. In our field, it’s easy to become like a busy bee, constantly chasing deadlines. But pausing to reflect is what transforms routine tasks into intentional practice and growth.

Staff turnover.

Rock climbing, hiking, Astanga Yoga, Skiing

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