Alissa Thelen guides the Department of Education’s ongoing strategic leadership for accreditation and quality assurance of the teacher preparation programs. She maintains positive relationships involving faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders in the accreditation process. She provides training and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, and shares best practices and innovative approaches to accreditation and data analysis for continuous improvement. 

Alissa brings 17 years of diverse educational experience to Hope College. She's taught in New Zealand, Arizona and Michigan and has held leadership roles in curriculum and instruction in schools across the country. Before arriving at Hope in 2024 she spent a decade at Grand Valley State University helping schools and teachers to use data to improve teaching and learning, and she's passionate about creating innovative professional development opportunities for educators. 

She holds a license in Michigan as a central office administrator and is licensed to teach all subjects in grades K-5, and health in grades 6-12.

Areas of Expertise

• Educational administration and leadership
• Assessment and accreditation
• Educators’ professional development
• Coaching and tutoring
• Educational technology

Education

• Ed.S., educational specialist in leadership, Grand Valley State University, 2019 
• M.Ed., educational administration, Grand Canyon University, 2011
• B.S., education, University of Minnesota Duluth, 2006

Honors

• Keynote speaker, Northwest Evaluation Association Fusion Conference, 2019
• Aspiring Principal Award, Rodel Foundation of Arizona, 2013
• Excellence in Education Award, Laveen (AZ) School District, 2009

Outside the College

Alissa is one seriously cool cucumber! She loves lacing up her sneakers and hitting the pavement, trading the city life for the great outdoors with her family, and unleashing her inner artist on T-shirts and home decor. When she’s not busy conquering the world, she's binge-watching old-school dramas like Grey’s Anatomy (seriously, how does Meredith Grey do it?) and reliving her childhood with Little House on the Prairie. And get this — she actually went on a pilgrimage to Walnut Grove, Minnesota last summer! Talk about a hardcore fan!