HLC PROGRAM ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP Mar. 09, 2026 Supporting Program-Level Assessment at Luna
achievement of established learning outcomes. The workshop provided an opportunity to reflect on this work and consider ways the maps can continue to support conversations about curriculum design and how students build knowledge and skills throughout their programs.
Next Steps
As part of our participation in the HLC Assessment Academy, the team is now developing an action plan that will be submitted to the academy. We look forward to sharing more with the campus community as we continue strengthening program-level assessment practices at Luna.
Submitted by: Sierra Fernandez (Director of Assessment /Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)) Members of the Luna Community College (LCC) community recently participated in the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Program Assessment Workshop, a virtual professional development opportunity focused on strengthening institutional approaches to assessing academic programs. The workshop was offered as part of the HLC Assessment Academy, a four-year initiative that LCC is participating in to continue advancing student learning assessment practices. Over the course of four days, facilitators from the interactive workshop led institutions in examining program assessment processes and identifying strategies for using evidence to inform program improvement. The sessions explored topics such as student learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, the use of data for improvement, performance indicators, and approaches to strengthening faculty engagement in assessment. During small-group activities, our team worked through exercises together and shared reflections with the larger group. Luna faculty and staff who participated serve in assessment-related roles across the college, with many also participating in the Assessment Academy Review Collective (AARC). Participants include: Dr. Geno Castillo (Interim Director of STEM and Humanities); Mary Frances Bibb (ACE Lab, Workforce, and Campus Life Coordinator; Assessment Committee Co-Chair); Tycie Jackson (Director of Preschool and the Departments of Early Education and Business); Kraig Bellows (Director of Adult Education); Dr. Henrietta Romero (Vice President of Instruction and Student Services); and Sierra Fernandez (Director of Assessment and HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer).
The Path to Student Success
Program Learning Outcomes
Assessment Methods
Data Analysis
Program Improvement
Student Success
Define what students should know and be able to do.
Measure student performance with effective tools.
Analyze assessment results to find strengths and areas for improvement.
Make data-informed changes to enhance programs.
Achieve better learning outcomes and goals.
Why This Matters
Program-level assessment is a continuous process that helps ensure Luna’s academic programs are effective, aligned, and focused on student learning. By regularly evaluating outcomes and using data to inform decisions, the college can strengthen programs and better support student success. • Ensures programs are aligned with clear student learning outcomes • Uses real data to guide decisions and improve courses • Creates consistency across programs and course sections • Strengthens faculty collaboration and engagement • Supports student success through continuous improvement
Lessons & Insights
Some of the key lessons focused on developing meaningful and measurable Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), identifying appropriate performance indicators, and selecting effective methods of assessment. The workshop also emphasized the importance of aligned assessment practices across courses within a program, particularly when multiple sections contribute to the same PLOs. These discussions helped us think about how we can better coordinate practices across courses to ensure a shared approach to student learning and assessment. Another topic discussed was curriculum mapping, a process that Luna’s academic directors recently completed as part of their three-year program reviews. These curriculum maps, which are available on departmental webpages, illustrate how courses across each program’s curriculum contribute to the
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