The ACPA Annual Convention took place February 16th to February 19th in Long Beach California. The conference was a buzz with Higher Education professionals reconnecting, making new connections, sharing ideas, and enjoying the Southern California weather.
While we are a few months removed from this conference, I’d like to reflect on my experience. As we know this has been a tumultuous year in education, changes have been made and implemented at federal and state levels that impact many of our colleagues across the nation. For me, ACPA was a place where this was felt, recognized, and allowed for folks to hold space with and for each other.
The Friday to the prior conference, the more recent “Dear Colleague Letter” was published from the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Throughout the conference there was a sense of bewilderment and disbelief. In many sessions, not only ones that focus on the importance of implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, practices, and initiatives, the presenters would note that they didn’t know if their content could be applied or if their offices and programs would exist. The DCL blanketed the conference with a feeling of sadness and unease; however, presenters still presented the great work that they are completing, colleagues from across ACPA came together to network and learn from each other, and folk came together to support one another. I find this so inspiring about the Higher Education community, that though really tough times as an industry, we are still excited to share our ideas, support, and look for a way forward. I also think this is a call to action for assessment folks. We do more than collect and analyze data - we tell stories, identify needs, and help find solutions that can advance equity in a real way.
Thinking back to my time in Long Beach, I was thrilled to be able to gather with fellow assessment professionals at both the Commission for Assessment & Evaluation through ACPA and through Student affairs Assessment Leaders. When I have the pleasure of being in community with other assessment, and assessment curious, professionals I hold gratitude to be able to connect with like minded peers from across the country. I like to ask folks how we found our way to assessment work - no two paths are the same, but the passion and excitement is very similar in most of the stories I’ve heard. For those that made it to the socials – thank you for sharing space and stories! For those that were not able to go – I hope that we can be in community in the near future. I get a lot out of the opportunity to attend and connect at these conferences. I do hope to see more assessment focus program offerings. SAAL is an organization full with passionate folks doing some really great work! I hope that next year you submit a conference proposal and share your talents with others.
This post was written by Kyle Amore, Associate Director of Co-Curricular Assessment, Santa Clara University. Kyle also serves as the Vice President of SAAL's Community Development and Engagement committee.