Dr. Cecilia L. López is the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. For twelve years (February 1991 to February 2003), she was the Associate Director of The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Dr. López has taught at Chabot College (CA), Florida A. & M. University, and Arizona State University, West Campus. She served on the Board of Trustees of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) for four years and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Council for the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC). She serves on a number of advisory boards, including the National Advisory Board for the Policy Center on the First Year of College. Her research focuses on issues affecting higher education, particularly issues relating to assessment of student learning and general education.