The Best Practices in Assessment Group (BPAG) is a cross-institutional working group that supports the sharing and development of effective practices in assessing student learning and program outcomes across the University.

BPAG provides a forum for academic leaders and assessment professionals to collaborate on strategies that strengthen institutional assessment practices and promote continuous improvement.

The group was formalized following recommendations from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to enhance institutional assessment practices.

Role in IEIE

BPAG serves as a collaborative assessment group within IEIE that supports the exchange of best practices, tools, and approaches related to student learning and program evaluation across schools and academic units.

Core Functions

  • Assessment Collaboration
    BPAG supports the sharing of approaches and strategies for assessing student learning and program outcomes across disciplines.
  • Best Practices Development
    The group facilitates discussion of effective assessment methods and supports the refinement of tools and practices used across the University.
  • Institutional Alignment
    BPAG promotes consistency and alignment in assessment practices across academic and student affairs units.
  • Continuous Improvement
    The group supports ongoing improvement in teaching, learning, and program evaluation through collaborative dialogue and shared expertise.

BPAG Members

BPAG includes academic leaders, program directors, and assessment professionals from across UMB’s schools and administrative units.

  • Patty Alvarez, PhD – Chief Student Affairs Officer and Vice President, Office of the Provost
  • Christina Cestone, PhD – Executive Director, Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning; Program Director and Associate Professor, Graduate School
  • Lynn Chen, PhD – Assistant Professor and Director of Evaluation, School of Nursing
  • Shannan Dixon, MS CGC – Assistant Professor, Pediatrics; Director, Master’s in Genetic Counseling Program, School of Medicine
  • Lorraine Doucette, MS, MLS (ASCP) CM – Assistant Professor and Director, MLS Program, School of Medicine
  • Crystal Edwards, JD MA – Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs, Francis King Carey School of Law
  • Erin Golembewski, PhD – Senior Associate Dean, Graduate School
  • Kelby B. Kaplan, PT, DPT, EdD – Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Constance N. Lacap, DO – Assistant Professor, Psychiatry; Assistant Dean for Assessment, School of Medicine
  • Lisa Lebovitz, JD – Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs & Assessment, School of Pharmacy
  • Amanda Lehning, MSW PhD – Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, School of Social Work
  • Mark D. Macek, DDS, DrPH, MS, FICD – Professor, Dental Public Health; Assistant Dean for Curriculum Innovation and Scholarship; Director, Office of Instructional Evaluation, School of Dentistry
  • Joseph P. Martinez, MD – Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine; Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Experience, School of Medicine
  • Karen D. Matthews, DM, MPA – Director, Strategic Planning and Assessment, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
  • Jenny Owens, ScD, MS – Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives; Executive Director, Graduate Research Innovation District, School of Graduate Studies
  • Diane Marie M. St. George, PhD – Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Public Health; Program Director, Master of Public Health Program
  • Gregory C. Spengler, MPA – Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness; Accreditation Liaison Officer

Archived Meeting Materials

Archived materials are maintained for reference or recordkeeping purposes. These materials were created before April 24, 2026 and may not meet current accessibility standards. If you need an accessible version of archived content, please contact us.

September 2, 2025
Note: Recordings of recent meetings are available - contact IEIE for assistance

June 3, 2025

May 6, 2025

April 1, 2025

March 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

December 3, 2024

November 5, 2024

October 1, 2024

March 5, 2024

February 6, 2024

November 7, 2023

August 1, 2023

July 11, 2023

June 6, 2023

March 7, 2023

February 7, 2023

November 1, 2022

June 7, 2022

May 3, 2022

April 5, 2022

February 1, 2022

January 4, 2022

December 7, 2021

November 2, 2021

October 5, 2021

September 7, 2021

June 8, 2021

April 6, 2021

February 9, 2021

December 15, 2020

October 6, 2020

June 16, 2020

April 21, 2020

February 4, 2020

April 10, 2019

December 4, 2018

October 16, 2018

April 9, 2018

  • Special Topic - Carnegie Community Engagement Classification Application

February 6, 2018

October 17, 2017