Join us for the VA Collaborative on Institutional Effectiveness, hosted by VAG in Partnership with VRAS and VAIR. This year’s theme is “Sticking Together: Collaboration & Innovation in Institutional Effectiveness” – which is imperative now more than ever!
Join us for sessions that highlight real-world collaboration and innovation, practical tools for improving institutional effectiveness, and opportunities to connect across professional roles and institutions.
We look forward to seeing you at our annual conference on November 19-21, 2025 at the Landing at Hampton Marina in Hampton, VA.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Jillian Kinzie
Dr. Jillian Kinzie is Associate Director, National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Center for Postsecondary Research, Indiana University School of Education. She conducts research and leads project activities on effective use of student engagement data to improve educational quality, and serves as senior scholar with the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) project. She is co-author of Transforming Academic Culture & Curriculum: Integrating and Scaffolding Research Throughout Undergraduate Education (2024), Radical Reimagining for Student Success (2023), Delivering on the Promise of High-Impact Practices: Research and Models for Achieving Equity, Fidelity, Impact and Scale (2022), Assessment in Student Affairs (2016), Using Evidence of Student Learning to Improve Higher Education (2015), Student Success in College (2005/2010), and One Size Does Not Fit All: Traditional and Innovative Models of Student Affairs Practice (2008/2014). She is co-editor of New Directions in Higher Education, is on the editorial board of Innovative Higher Education and the Journal of Postsecondary Student Success and serves on the board of the Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. She is a peer reviewer for several accreditors and regularly consults with colleges and universities about assessment, effective educational practice, inclusive excellence, high-impact practices, and support for student success. Her scholarly interests include the assessment of student engagement, how colleges use data to improve, student and academic affairs partnerships and the impact of programs and practices to support student success, as well as first-year student development, teaching and learning in college, access and equity, and women in underrepresented fields. She has published on these topics and translated this scholarship at hundreds of institutions and higher education member organizations to increase the use of assessment results to inform improvements in undergraduate education and to enhance conditions for student success. She served as PI on the Lumina Foundation funded “Assessing Quality and Equity in HIPs”; a Strada Foundation study, “Learning about Undergraduates’ Preparation for Work and Careers” an assessment of college students career and workforce preparation, and an NSF supported project studying the implementation of scaffolded research-rich curriculum in STEM fields. She was awarded the NASPA George D. Kuh Outstanding Contribution to Research in 2024 and received the Robert J. Menges Honored Presentation by the Professional Organizational Development (POD) Network in 2005 and 2011. Kinzie earned her PhD from Indiana University in higher education with a minor in women’s studies. Prior to this, she served on the faculty of Indiana University and coordinated the master’s program in higher education and student affairs. She also worked in academic and student affairs at Miami University and Case Western Reserve University.
Dr. Geoffrey C. Klein
Geoffrey Klein, Ph.D., joined SACSCOC as Vice President in December 2021. Before joining the Commission, he served as Vice Provost for Research, Graduate Studies, and Assessment and SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. Dr. Klein served on the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, including the Executive Council, worked as an accreditation consultant, served as chair of the Virginia Regional Accreditation Symposium, and served as a SACSCOC peer evaluator on Substantive Change and Reaffirmation Committees. Geoffrey began his career in higher education as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science at CNU. As a member of the faculty, he was awarded the inaugural Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching and received over $2.6 million in grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and American Chemical Society (ACS) Petroleum Research Foundation to support his research endeavors. Geoffrey received a BS from the College of William and Mary and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Florida State University.
Dr. Nicole Alioto
Dr. Nicole Alioto is a recognized leader in educational measurement and strategic planning, dedicated to helping schools and institutions get data right. As the founder and CEO of Alla Breve Educational Consulting, she brings clarity, expertise, and energy to the world of education, ensuring schools measure the right things to make informed, strategic decisions. As a two-time TEDx speaker, author, and frequent conference presenter, Dr. Alioto is known for her ability to bridge research and reality, transforming complex data concepts into practical strategies that educators can immediately apply. She challenges outdated measurement practices and introduces innovative, results-driven approaches that align data with meaningful outcomes. Her career includes roles as Director of Institutional Research and Planning in the SUNY system, Coordinator of Data Analysis in the K12 space, Solutions Architect for IBM Analytics – Public Sector, and adjunct faculty at both the undergraduate and graduate levels teaching courses in statistics, research methods, predictive analytics, and assessment. Dr. Alioto holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Connecticut. Originally from New Jersey, she now resides in western New York, where in her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors with her “lab assistants” and playing bassoon with a local wind ensemble.
Conference Workshops
The conference will include a series of workshops at no additional fee:
Leveraging Canvas Outcomes for Streamlined, Meaningful Assessment
by Jolene Hamm and Sarah Hooven, Virginia Western Community College
Abstract: As institutions across Virginia seek efficient and scalable methods for meaningful assessment, this session—Leveraging Canvas Outcomes for Streamlined, Meaningful Assessment—offers a practical model rooted in real-world application. The session highlights how Virginia Western Community College uses Canvas Outcomes to simplify data collection, engage faculty, and integrate assessment seamlessly into existing instructional workflows.
Description: Attendees will learn how learning outcomes are embedded into courses, assessed through regular assignments, and how the resulting data feeds directly into academic program reviews and institutional planning. The presenters will discuss strategies for building faculty buy-in, sustaining support, and aligning assessment practices with SCHEV’s General Education policy. This session is ideal for institutions looking to reduce the administrative burden while increasing the value and impact of their assessment efforts.
If you enjoyed or missed their VAG webinar on this topic in June, then please consider joining this workshop to get into the details of this work.
Flexible R Code for Assessment Practitioners
by Laura Lambert, James Madison University
Data Visualization in R
by Laura Lambert, James Madison University
SACSCOC Workshops
In conjunction with the conference, we will be hosting three SACSCOC workshops:
- SACSCOC Subchange Workshop – Wednesday, November 19th
- SACSCOC IE Training – Wednesday, November 19th – see registration criteria below
- SACSCOC IAL Information session – Thursday, November 20th – see registration criteria below
Attending the SACSCOC workshops? Consider extending your visit and join us for the conference at a discounted price.
**If you are registering for a SACSCOC Workshop AND you would like to attend the conference, please use the SACSCOCSAVE75 promo on the ticket page (not checkout). This applies to SACSCOC workshop participants only who are also attending the conference. See registration page for details and promo code.**
Subchange Workshop
Wednesday, November 19, 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Description: The one-day Substantive Change Workshop is an opportunity to learn the principles and select advanced topics of substantive change from a SACSCOC staff member. It’s an ideal introduction for new liaisons and a refresher for those with experience.
- Intended Audience: Academic affairs staff members, faculty members, liaisons, provosts, or others with substantive change responsibilities.
SACSCOC Institutional Effectiveness (IE) Peer Evaluator Training Workshop
Wednesday, November 19, 9:00am – 4:00pm
- Description: The workshop will focus on the following topics: the intent and structure (compliance components) of selected IE-related Principles of Accreditation; professional judgment to analytically interpret and apply the Principles; and the characteristics of a valid, clear, and constructive committee report. In the interest of providing a hands-on, practical experience, participants will be expected to review two case studies in advance of the workshop.
- Registration cap: 30 participants
- Special instructions: This workshop is open only to individuals listed as SACSCOC IE peer evaluators who have a) no prior IE evaluator training and b) no or 1 prior SACSCOC evaluation committee service experience
SACSCOC Institutional Accreditation Liaison (IAL) Information Session
Thursday, November 20, 9:00am – 4:00pm
- Description: The session will focus on the following aspects: an overview of IAL’s role and key responsibilities; how IALs can be a significant benefit to their institutions and the Commission; and IAL best practices.
- Registration cap: 45 participants
- Special instructions: This session is open to all SACSCOC IALs; however, it is best suited for recently appointed IALs.
Hotel
This year we will be holding the conference on Wednesday, November 19th through Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Landing at Hampton Marina in Hampton, VA.
Book your hotel by October 15, 2025 to receive the conference rate of $129/night. If extending your stay, please do not make two separate reservations. You can contact the hotel for assistance: Phone: (757) 727-9700 Email: RICDL_gm@hilton.com
Conference Awards
Are you a full-time graduate student? Apply for the Linda Townsend Award.
What if I need to cancel my registration?
Written notice to vaassessgroup@gmail.com is required at least 10 days prior to the event.