“Continuous Improvement for a New Era in Higher Education is the book the field has long needed, finally repositioning assessment not as a compliance burden but as the launchpad for meaningful institutional transformation. With remarkable range, this volume offers every stakeholder a shared language and practical tools for turning evidence into action. If your campus is tired of assessment that generates activity without generating change, this is your flight plan.”Sakilé K. Camara, Director of Academic Assessment and Program Review, California State University Northridge“Continuous Improvement for a New Era in Higher Education disrupts the status quo, repositioning assessment from a utilitarian compliance exercise into a launchpad for innovation. Uniting expert voices, the volume offers practical insights structured around a novel three-stage framework: assessment as readiness, improvement as momentum, and innovation as transformation. The chapters address the systemic urgency currently facing higher education, providing a blueprint for institutions seeking to cultivate a more integrated, equitable, and adaptive future."Jillian Kinzie, Associate Director, National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Indiana University Bloomington“This book delivers on the promise of continuous improvement by placing student success at the center of institutional practice. Reframing assessment as a catalyst for innovation, effectiveness, and meaningful change, the authors offer fresh perspectives and practical strategies that challenge conventional thinking. Together, these thoughtfully curated chapters provide an inspiring roadmap for leaders committed to building stronger institutions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and advancing the enduring mission of higher education.”Brian Smentkowski, Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, University of Alaska“This is exactly what higher education needs right now. More than a guide to assessment, this book demonstrates how evidence can become a catalyst for improving student learning and institutional effectiveness. Its cohesive framework, intentional chapter design, and implementation-ready resources do more than explain assessment. They equip readers to turn ideas into action and continuous improvement into an institutional habit.”Julie Bauer Morrison, Assessment Director, Glendale Community College, Arizona“Continuous Improvement for a New Era in Higher Education charts a new pathway to institutional improvement. Using a timely metaphor that resonates across higher education, the authors position assessment as the essential launchpad, not the destination. Building on a strong foundation of evidence and effectiveness, this book moves beyond the assessment cycle to show how institutions can define, implement, and sustain meaningful improvement and innovation in service of today's students and those to come.”Pamelyn Klepal Shefman, Executive Director of the Office of Planning and Assessment, University of Houston-Clear Lake“The definitive guide for every practitioner who has wanted assessment to be vivid, vital, and indispensable. Drawing on rich models, real-world applications, and practical examples, it equips practitioners to drive meaningful improvement.”PJ Woolston, Director of Strategic Insights, Lumina Foundation“A must-read for assessment practitioners seeking to transform learning on their campuses. The Launchpad-Orbit-Deep Space framework moves readers from theory to action, and the digital companion offers practical tools to evaluate institutional readiness and continue the assessment journey.”Tara Rose, Associate Vice Provost, Louisiana State University
