Classroom at Roxbury Community College


Strategic Initiatives

Advancing a Massachusetts Culture of Assessment (AMCOA)

Overview

AMCOA advances assessment of student learning on public campuses and strengthens campus assessment capabilities.

Contact

Robert J. Awkward, Ph.D.,
Assistant Commissioner for Academic Effectiveness
(617) 994-6908
rawkward@dhe.mass.edu

Duration

2011 – Present

Funding

Davis Educational Fund (2011-2013)

Related Data

 

 

Student Identities
Partnerships

Public Higher Ed System

Background

Research shows that the best way to determine what college students know and can do is to examine their learning outcomes from multiple viewpoints. Massachusetts is part of a national effort to develop student learning assessment tools that capture the complexity of college learning better than a single standardized test, and allows for comparisons between public campuses in the state and similiar institutions in other states. Though the work is challenging, being able to assess and compare student learning will improve teaching and help campuses not only identify problem areas but understand how to solve them.

Advancing a Massachusetts Culture of Assessment (AMCOA) is led by a team of faculty and staff from each of the 28 undergraduate campuses, with the goal of advancing assessment of student learning through information sharing about best practices and campuses experiences; provision of faculty and staff professional development opportunities; and cross-institution, collaborative experiments with assessment approaches and technology. AMCOA was funded by the Davis Educational Foundation from May 2011 until May 2013, and is now supported by the DHE and the campuses.

AMCOA Members

Membership consists of representatives from each of the 28 public higher education campuses, appointed by the respective president/chancellor. The AMCOA team is led by the Board of Higher Education Director of Learning Outcomes Assessment.

Community College Staff and Faculty
Berkshire Community College Stacy Evans, Center for Teaching & Learning Center Faculty Fellow
Meghan Callaghan, Dean of Teaching & Learning
Elizabeth Dister, Student Success Assessment & Research Analyst
Tattiya Maruco, Coordinator of Instructional Technology & Design
Bristol Community College William Duffy, Academic Innovation & Professional Development
Danielle Licitra, Sr. Specialist Institutional Assessment Coordinator
Bunker Hill Community College Edward Morgan, Associate Dean for Institutional Assessment & Planning
Arlene Vallie, Interim Dean, Academic Affairs (Research & Assessment)
Cape Cod Community College William Berry, Professor, Language and Literature Department
Ifeoluwa Tegun, Professor of Psychology
Kathleen Vranos, Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs
Rebecca Westphal, Faculty Science
Greenfield Community College Marie Breheny, Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Kimberly McKeage, Associate Director for Learning Outcomes Assessment
Holyoke Community College Sofia Bilgrami, Professor, Culinary Arts
Kris Choleva, Director of Planning, Curriculum & Assessment
Rebecca Townsend, Associate Director of Assessment
MassBay Community College Catherine Gildae, Assistant Dean for Institutional Research
Alan Goldman, Associate Professor, Humanities
Nina Keery, Professor, English
Susan Maggioni, Dean of Business & Professional Studies
Sean McCarthy, Writing Learning Specialist
Tom Niemi, Professor of Business Administration
Massasoit Community College Rita Jones-Hyde, Assistant Professor of Humanities and Fine Arts
Middlesex Community College Ryan Johnson, Senior Director of Institutional Research
Peter Shea, Director of Professional Development
Halye Sugarman, Chair, Assessment Comm.& Professor, Paralegal Studies
Mount Wachusett Community College John Eisler, Associate Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs
Amanda Henrichs, Director of Assessment
North Shore Community College Andrea Milligan, Director, Center for Teaching & Learning
Luciano Sappia, Associate Professor, Business Administration
Kimberly Stevens, Sr. Specialist for Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Maria Vaquez, Professor of Psychology
Northern Essex Community College Kirsten Kortz, Director of Academic Policy, Curriculum & Assessment
Quinsigamond Community College Amy Beaudry, Professor of English
Gaelan Benway, Professor of Sociology
Kevin Li, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs
Roxbury Community College Ben Anilus, Math Dept. Faculty
Jeffrey Breitenfeldt, Assistant Professor of English
Jeffrey Van Dreason, Dean of Assessment
Sharlene Malcolm, Business Dept. Chair
Springfield Technical Community College Emilie Clucas Leaderman, Assistant Dean of Liberal & Professional Studies
Ann-Marie Simao, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Tracey Trottier, Director of Assessment
State University Staff and Faculty
Bridgewater State University Ruth Slotnick, Director of Assessment
Fitchburg State University Cate Kaluzny, Director of Assessment
Megan Krell, Interim Coordinator, Center for Teaching & Learning
Pamela McCafferty, Assistant VP, Institutional Research
Sarah Wright, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Framingham State University Mary Hara, CELTS Director & Associate Professor of Education
Jon Huibregtse, CELTSS Director
Mark Nicholas, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
Julie Zoino-Jeannetti, Professor of English
MassArt Judith Leeman, Associate Professor of Fibers
Junelyn Peeples, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research
MCLA Erin Milne, Director of Assessment
Mass Maritime S. Elaine Craghead, Assistant Dean of Academic Resources
Megan Cunniff, Director of Institutional Research
Salem State University Eliza Bobek, Director, Center for Teaching & Learning
Elizabeth Coughlan, Associate Professor, Politics, Policy, & International Relations
Megan Williams, Assistant Dean, Research & Assessment
Westfield State University
Worcester State University Bonnie Orcutt, Professor of Economics
Emily Soltano, Director, Center for Teaching & Learning
Sarah Strout, Director of Assessment
University of Massachusetts Staff and Faculty
UMass Amherst Barb Chalfonte, Associate Provost, Analytics & Assessment
Claire Hamilton, Associate Provost & Director of the Institute for Teaching & Learning
Alicia Remaly, Associate Director of Assessment
Gabriel Rodriquez, Senior Assessment Analyst
UMass Boston Chiquita Baylor, Assistant Dean of Students
Neal Bruss, Associate Professor, English Department
Andrew Perumal, Associate Provost
UMass Dartmouth Jonathan Bonilla, Institutional Research Analyst
Tammy Silva, Director of Institutional Research
UMass Lowell Alice Frye, Senior Lecturer, Psychology Department
Paula Haines, Sr. Director of Curriculum, Assessment & Accreditation
Shaima Ragab, Director of Faculty Success
UMass President's Office Candyce Carragher, Senior Executive Associate to the Senior Vice President
Robert Gamache, SVP, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs &International Relations

Meeting Materials

2024
2023

AMCOA Team Meeting
November 17, 2023
Download: Agenda Conversations and Explorations on Equity & Assessment

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
September 22, 2023
Download: Agenda FY23 in Review State of Assessment 2023

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
March 10, 2023
Download: Agenda View full AMCOA Meeting Passcode: 8F.vKrN7 Devan Walton’s Presentation on AI in Education What should we learn for the age of A.I.? Four-Dimensional Education How Generative AI ChatGPT is Pushing Assessment Reform

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
February 3, 2023
Download: Co-curricular Assessment 101

2022

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
October 28, 2022
Download: Agenda Data-Informed Course Design and the DEI Imperative (Narrative) Data-Informed Course Design and the DEI Imperative (Slide Deck)

AMCOA Team Kickoff Meeting
Remote/Zoom
September 30, 2022
Download: Agenda AMCOA FY22 Review

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
March 11, 2022
Download: Agenda NUE AMCOA Presentation

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
January 28, 2022
Download: Agenda CCAA-Building Assessment Academy AMCOA-NECHE Presentation

2021

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
November 19, 2021
Download: Equitable Assessment In Higher Education

AMCOA Team Kickoff Meeting
Harrington Learning Center/Zoom
September 24, 2021
Download: AMCOA Team Kickoff Meeting

AMCOA Team Meeting
Remote/Zoom
March 12, 2021
Download: Karen Ricciardi, UMass Boston: Assessment of Writing Proficiency Using E-Portfolios Erin Milne and Christopher MacDoanld-Dennis, MCLA: Redesigning the Core Curriculum Paula Haines, UMass Lowell, Using MS Teams to Organize NECHE Work Products

2020
2019

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
November 11, 2019
Download: Agenda Equity & Excellence in Teaching & Learning Assessment Technology Landscape Updated DHE LOA State of Assessment

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
Septemnber 13, 2019
Download: Agenda Real Time Assessment (Peggy Maki) Handouts DHE Learning Outcomes Assessment

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
April 5, 2019
Download: Agenda Building a Comprehensive Student Affairs Assessment Program

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
February 1, 2019
Download: Agenda QORE Presentation Oral Presentation Assignment Framework

2018

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
November 30, 2018
Download: Agenda DHE Learning Outcomes Assessment E-Series: Making Assessment More Meaningful Revisited (NECHE)

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
September 28, 2018
Download: Agenda DHE Learning Outcomes Assessment Institutional Assessment at FSU UMass Amherst Assessment Program The ACUE Experience (Salem State)

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
March 29, 2018
Download: Agenda Exercise

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
February 2, 2018
Download: Agenda MassTransfer Implementation Guidelines Introduction to Portfolium Porfolium Use Cases

2017

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
November 30, 2017
Download: Agenda

AMCOA Team Meeting
Worcester State University
September 29, 2017
Download: Agenda DHE Learning Outcomes Assessment Student Success Through Quality Instruction

AMCOA Team Meeting
Quinsigamond Community College
March 31, 2017
Download: Agenda DHE Assessment Update Emerging Trends in Technology for Real-Time Assessment Winklemes TILT Powerpoint

AMCOA Team Meeting
Middlesex Community College
February 2, 2017
Download: Agenda DHE Learning Outcomes Assessment Update Group Work

2016

AMCOA Team Meeting
Holyoke Community College
December 2, 2016
Download: Agenda DHE Learning Outcomes Assessment

AMCOA Team Meeting
UMass Lowell
September 29, 2016
Download: Back to the Future

 

Conference Materials

2023

Assessment Reconsidered: Use of Equity as Our Guiding Framework
Friday, April 28, 2023
Westborough Doubletree
by Hilton Boston

PDF Conference Program PDF Morning Plenary: Dr. Gavin Henning, “Reframing Assessment to Center Equity” PDF Morning Workshops: Dr. Divya Bheda PDF Kathleen Neal, Dr. Jessica Nicklin, and Natalia Zagula, University of Hartford PDF Dr. Raymond J. Shaw, Merrimack College PDF Afternoon Plenary: Dr. Joseph Levy, “Aspirations and Accountability for Student Affairs Assessment” PDF Afternoon Workshops: Dr. Joseph Levy, Excelsior University PDF Dr. Karen RJ White and Ana Gonzalez, Granite State College PDF Peter Shea of Middlesex Community College and Devan Walton, Northern Essex Community College

2022

Striving to Achieve Equity in Assessment: The Work of Improvement Continues to Evolve
Friday, April 29, 2022
Westborough Doubletree
by Hilton Boston

PDF Conference Program PDF Morning Plenary: Dr. Tia Brown McNair, AACU
PDF Afternoon Plenary: Dr. Jennifer Hill, Duke University PDF Faculty Involvement in Gen. Ed. Assessment Workshop

2020

Addressing Equity Through Assessment—Mutually Reinforcing Objectives
Friday, October 30, 2020
Virtual

Conference Program & Materials

2019

The Intersectionality of Equity, Quality, & Student Learning
Friday, April 19, 2019
Best Western Royal Plaza
Marlborough, MA

PDF Conference Program PDF Plenary Session Presentation

2018

The Continuing Importance of Assessment: From the Classroom to Program to Institutional Levels
Friday, April 20, 2018
Doubletree by Hilton
Westborough, MA

PDF Conference Program PDF Plenary Session Presentation

Past Conferences (2011—2017)

2017

Advancing the Work of Assessment: Best Practices, Tools, & Resources
Friday, April 21, 2017
Doubletree by Hilton
Westborough, MA

PDFConference Program

2016

Teaching With an Outcomes Approach: Assessment for Faculty Change Agents
Friday, April 22, 2016
Holiday Inn Boxborough
Boxborough, MA

PDFConference Program

2015

Our Shared Commitment to Student Learning
Friday, April 24, 2015
Holiday Inn Boxborough
Boxborough, MA

PDF Conference Program

2014

Teaching & Reflection: Learning from Assessment
Friday, April 18, 2014
Holiday Inn Boxborough
Boxborough, MA

PDF Conference Program

2013

Assessing Critical Thinking and Writing Using the VALUE Rubrics: Do You See What I See?
Friday, February 22, 2013
UMass Boston Campus Center
Boston, MA

PDF Conference Program

Taking Stock: How Far Have We Come and Where Should We Go?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
Marlborough, MA

PDF Conference Program

2012

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes Within and Across the Disciplines
Thursday, February 9, 2012
UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center
Lowell, MA

PDF Conference Program

Quantitative Reasoning: Looking Beyond the Numbers
Friday, October 19, 2012
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

PDF Conference Program

2011

Effective Partnerships and Processes That Build and Sustain a Commitment to Assessing Student Learning: Where Are We Now?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

PDF Conference Program

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes Within and Across the Disciplines
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, MA

PDF Conference Program

 

Regional Professional Development

North Region

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.

Past Events

Equity-Driven Assessment: Simple Steps to Creating Inclusive Assignments
March 8, 2024
Dr. Karen Singer-Freeman
Director of Research, Center for the Advancement of Teaching,
Wake Forest University
Download: Presentation slide | Zoom Link Passcode: k0Ck&k+?

Quantitative Literacy Faculty Workshop
October 11, 2019
9:00a.m.–1:30p.m.
University Crossing, Rm. 490
290 Pawtucket St,
UMass Lowell
Download: Flyer

Assignment Design Charrette
November 2, 2018
9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
North Shore Community College
Download: Flyer | Presentation | Group Photo

Build your Plan: Campus Professional Decelopment for Successful Assessment Practice
June 12, 2018
10:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
UMass Lowell
Download: Flyer

E-Series Forms & Meaningful Campus Assessment
July 10, 2017
12:00p.m.-3:00p.m.
Riverview Suites, Rm. 158
UMass Lowell
Download: Flyer

Boston Metro

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.

Past Events

Transparent Instruction Increases Students' Engagement & Success
February 10, 2023
9:30am – 1pm
Mass Bay Community College
Wellesley, MA
Download: Presentation

Quantitative Literacy Faculty Workshop
October 18, 2019
10:00a.m.–1:45p.m.
Chancellor’s Conference Room
Quinn Building, 3rd Floor
100 William T. Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, 02125
UMass Boston
Download: Flyer

Assignment Design Workshop
December 7, 2018
9:00a.m.–1:00p.m.
UMass Boston
Download: Agenda PPT Presentation

Presentation on Academic Program Assessment with Mark Nicholas
March 8, 2018
1:30p.m.–3:30p.m.
Building 4, Rm. 300
Roxbury Community College
Download: Agenda Flyer

Central Region

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.

Past Events

Data Storytelling with Dr. Kimberly Yousey-Elsener
February 10, 2023
1:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.
Virtual Event held by Zoom
Video: Zoom Link
Slideshow: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18j_-Qtazj-lUwHgQvcd2XHbzTK5P_Hp9/view
Download: Event Flyer

Equity-Minded Assessment: Meeting the Challenges of the New Decade, Today
March 6, 2020
8:30a.m.–12:00p.m.
Quinsigamond Community College
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equity-minded-assessment-tickets-93548007609
Download: Event Flyer

Quantitative Literacy Faculty Workshop
October 25, 2019
9:00a.m.–1:30p.m.
Ahlfors Hall, Rm. 107
670 West Boylston St., Worcester, 01606
Quinsigamond Community College
Download: Flyer

Nimbly Interpreting and Using Assessment Results to Advance All Students Toward Achieving High-Quality Program and Institution-Level Outcomes
February 23, 2018
12:00p.m.–4:00p.m.
Center for Academic Excellence, Ahlfors Building, Rm. 107
Quinsigamond Community College

Southeast Region

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.

Past Events

Civic Learning Assignment Design Charrette
May 24, 2018
12:00p.m.–3:00p.m.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Registration: bit.ly/amcoa-mma
Download: Event Flyer

Information Literacy Charrette
May 23, 2017
Massasoit Community College
Download: Event Flyer

Western Region

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.

Past Events

Liberation and Assessment: From Intention to Action to Impact
Dr. Divya Bheda
Western Regional Professional Development
May 19, 2023
9:00a.m.–1:00p.m.
Virtual
Download: Presentation

Equity-Minded Assessment: Meeting the Challenges of the New Decade, Today
March 6, 2020
8:30a.m.–12:00p.m.
Quinsigamond Community College
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equity-minded-assessment-tickets-93548007609
Download: Event Flyer

Quantitative Literacy Faculty Workshop
October 25, 2019
9:00a.m.–1:30p.m.
The Kittredge Center, Rm. 301
303 Homestead Ave. Holyoke, 01040
Holyoke Community College
Download: Flyer