The Library and Information Science Graduate Program in the School of Communication and Information has been named one of 20 degree programs to receive the 2026 H艒poe Assessment Award, a new faculty-led honor recognizing exemplary commitment to strengthening curriculum and student learning.
Selected from more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, the 20 awardees emerged through a rigorous peer-review process led by the Assessment Report Review Committee (ARRC), a team of approximately 40 faculty members trained jointly by the M膩noa Faculty Senate鈥檚 Committee on Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and the 糖心视频 Assessment and Curriculum Support Center (ACSC).
The award was established in 2025 by the M膩noa Faculty Senate鈥檚 CEE to celebrate faculty-driven efforts to use assessment meaningfully and effectively. CEE Chair Justin Walguarnery described the initiative as 鈥渇or faculty, by faculty,鈥 honoring the thoughtful, sustained work of using assessment to make an appreciable difference in the academic experience.
鈥淗艒poe鈥 evokes the 驶艒hi驶a lehua in its fullest and most vibrant bloom鈥攁 powerful symbol of programs that have matured, flourished, and demonstrated a deep commitment to continuous improvement.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always valued reflective practice,鈥 said Rich Gazan, who as Program Director coordinated LIS assessment during the review period. 鈥淔or our students and for ourselves. We thank the Assessment Report Review Committee for this honor.鈥
Beginning in Fall 2026, all degree programs will have the opportunity to conduct a self-evaluation using the award鈥檚 criteria, which include clearly articulated student learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, evidence of student learning, fair and reliable evaluation practices, meaningful use of results, and culturally responsive assessment. Programs that demonstrate 鈥渇ull bloom鈥 across these areas will be automatically nominated for subsequent H艒poe awards.
For more information: /news/2026/02/13/hopoe-award-honors-manoa-programs/
