NEW: Launching in January 2027
Learning Improvement Community (LIC)
Community of Practice (CoP)
Building on the successful GenAI in Assessment CoP, the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis is partnering with the Learning Improvement Community to launch the LIC CoP in January 2027.
This year-long CoP will provide members with an opportunity to grow their learning improvement capabilities by acquiring knowledge, piloting projects, expanding networks, and building skillsets. Members will meet virtually periodically throughout 2027 to engage in CoP work, including opportunities to adapt practices to local contexts and present content at the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis in October 2027.
More information about the LIC CoP will be shared during this year’s Assessment Institute in Indianapolis. Applications will open in late fall 2026. Please complete this interest form to be kept informed about the LIC CoP.
In the meantime, please see information below, consult the resources of the Learning Improvement Community website, and view content from the 2025-2026 season of the Assessment Institute’s Free Webinar Series, which features several LIC leaders.
Learning Improvement Community of Practice
The Learning Improvement CoP is being developed in collaboration with the Learning Improvement Community (LIC), an organization committed to connecting the dots among academic programs, assessment, and faculty development to improve student learning at scale. This initiative will support colleagues interested in strengthening student learning through intentional, evidence-informed changes to the learning environment, and demonstrating the impact of these changes through assessment.
In essence: assess, intentionally intervene, and reassess.
CoP Purpose: The CoP supports improvement initiatives by providing professional development opportunities for its members, including access to interactive forums, improvement-related tools, and other curated resources. Through the CoP, members will deepen their understanding of learning improvement, contribute to a learning improvement project, and network with others around the country with similar interests.
CoP Leaders: The Learning Improvement CoP is led by Keston Fulcher from James Madison University, Bryant Hutson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jillian Kinzie from Indiana University, Laura Lambert from James Madison University, Julie Morrison from Glendale Community College (AZ), and Dan Stroud from West Texas A&M University.
CoP Involvement: The Learning Improvement CoP offers colleagues the following involvement opportunities: (1) CoP Members, selected through an application process; and (2) CoP Affiliates, consisting of individuals interested in staying up to date on CoP activities, accessing select resources, and providing feedback to project teams. CoP Members will participate in one of three groups: Explore & Share, Launch & Nurture, and Build & Sustain. Application and affiliate signup information will be available in late fall 2026. Please email planning@iu.edu with questions.
CoP Groups (3): Explore & Share is designed for CoP Members building shared language, awareness, and understanding of learning improvement at their institutions or beyond. Launch & Nurture is designed for colleagues beginning, leading, or strengthening a program-level learning improvement project. Build & Sustain is designed for colleagues developing structures, mentoring, and systems that help learning improvement evolve at an institution level.
CoP Schedule: The Learning Improvement CoP will meet via Zoom during calendar year 2027, with additional opportunities for members to network in person and disseminate content at the 2027 Assessment Institute in Indianapolis. Applications will open in fall 2026.
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Timeframe |
Activities |
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Late-Fall 2026 |
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Late 2026 / Early 2027 |
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January 2027 |
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February–September 2027 |
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October 2027 |
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November/December 2027 |
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