University of Phoenix Academic Leadership Selected to Present at 2024 American Association of Colleges and Universities Conference
By Sharla Hooper
Dean Briana Houlihan joins conference proceedings to discuss General Education assessment strategies
University of Phoenix is pleased to share that Briana Houlihan, MBA, dean for the College of General Studies, has been selected to present at the 2024 American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) General Education, Pedagogy, and Assessment Conference. The poster presentation, titled, “General Education Assessment Strategies That Support Student Choice,” will focus on the effective mapping of General Education curriculum to learning outcomes to allow maximum flexibility in course selection. The conference will take place April 11-13 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
“I am proud to highlight the ways in which University of Phoenix employs General Education assessment strategies that support inclusive learning experiences,” shares Houlihan. “Our students are working learners who strive to achieve their educational goals alongside competing priorities and the challenges of everyday life. The work we do to improve General Education curriculum, maximize student choice and map our courses to relevant learning outcomes allows us to provide a flexible and impactful experience for our students.”
Houlihan’s presentation will focus on the University’s approach to developing a robust process of mapping learning outcomes, evaluating assessment data, identifying gaps in student learning, gathering faculty input related to underperforming assessments and courses, and revising curriculum to improve outcomes.
The AAC&U Conference is an annual event that brings together educators and professionals from across the country to discuss and explore innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment. According to AAC&U, this year’s event features eight tracks, all focused on different iterations of courage, and provides an opportunity to showcase the courageous work of educators who ensure the continued vitality of the undergraduate educational experience.
As Dean for the College of General Studies at University of Phoenix, Houlihan has made it her mission to enhance the skills focus within General Education coursework to bring value to Undergraduate students from day one of their program. She has served non-traditional online learners in higher education for over 21 years, holding positions in Student Services, Academic Affairs, and College Operations. Her diverse experience and authentic leadership style has allowed her to develop high performing teams that put students at the center of everything they do.
Houlihan holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from University of Phoenix. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Houlihan resides in Phoenix, Arizona.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
