2026 Conference Keynote Address
From Evidence to Action: Leading Change Through Assessment
Colleges and universities generate large amounts of assessment data, yet translating that evidence into meaningful improvement remains one of higher education’s persistent challenges. Too often, assessment ends with reports rather than action. This keynote explores how integrating principles of change management into assessment practice can help institutions move from gathering evidence to leading improvement. Drawing on research and practical examples, the session highlights strategies for engaging people, translating findings into action, and sustaining change. Participants will gain practical insights for positioning assessment as a catalyst for learning, improvement, and institutional progress.
| Dr. Gavin Henning, PhD Gavin Henning, PhD, is an award-winning educator, scholar, and higher education leader with nearly 30 years of experience advancing student learning, development, and success through meaningful assessment and evidence-informed practice. He is a nationally recognized expert on assessment, student belonging, and student success. Gavin is Professor of Higher Education and Director of the Doctor of Education and Master of Science in Higher Education Administration programs at New England College. He also leads the Center for Innovation in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship, where he supports faculty development and campus initiatives that strengthen teaching, learning, and student success through the thoughtful use of evidence. A longtime leader in the assessment profession, Gavin has served as President of ACPA – College Student Educators International and President of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). He is also a founder of Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL), an international network dedicated to advancing meaningful and ethical assessment practice in student affairs. Through this work, Gavin has helped define national standards for assessment and professional preparation. Gavin is co-editor of Maximizing the Impact of Assessment in Higher Education: Closing the Loop with Change Management and Reframing Assessment to Center Equity: Theory, Models, and Practices, and is co-author of Student Affairs Assessment: Theory to Practice. His scholarship focuses on how institutions move from collecting evidence to leading meaningful and sustained improvement. |
