Fiorella Peñaloza

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First Name

Fiorella

Department

Business Administration

E-mail Address

fpenaloz@hawaii.edu

Office Location

D-108

Last Name

Peñaloza

Title / Affiliation

Assistant Professor

Office Phone

(808) 689- 2478

Biography

Fiorella Peñaloza is an Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaiʻi- West Oʻahu. Prior to joining UHWO, Peñaloza served as a senior program officer for the University of Hawaiʻi System; Assistant Professor at Cleveland University-Kansas City; Assistant Professor at Briarcliffe College; and held additional administrative experiences in higher education in New York, Missouri, and Kansas. Her academic and administrative experience focused on managing continuous improvement and planning efforts. She has served as reviewer for publishers, including the Journal for Advancing Business Education, and currently serves on the editorial board for Intersection, a peer-reviewed journal of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education. Peñaloza also serves as a peer reviewer for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and previously served as an evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Education and qualifications

Peñaloza holds a Doctor of Management from Colorado Technical University, a master's in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, and a bachelor’s in Biology (honors) both from Queens College of the City University of New York (CUNY).

Work Experience / Employment History

Undergraduate Mentor, Ānuenue Connection Program (for first-year undergraduate students), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Academic Program Officer, University of Hawaiʻi System
Assistant Professor and Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment, Cleveland University- Kansas City
Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Park University
Assistant Professor and Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Briarcliffe College
Undergraduate Research Mentor, Bridges to the Doctorate Program, City College (CUNY)
Undergraduate Research Mentor, Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, Queens College (CUNY)

Courses taught

Peñaloza’s teaching has spanned basic sciences, health sciences, and business administration, including research and capstone courses.

Her current teaching portfolio includes:

Intermediate Managerial Accounting (ACC 340)
Accounting Information Systems (ACC 409)
Senior Project (BUSA 486)
Administrative Practicum (BUSA 490)
Business Intelligence (DATA 340)
Business Analytics (DATA 348)
Practical Programming: Python (DATA 342)
Methods for Data Analytics (DATA 448)

Publications

Peer-reviewed Publications and Proceedings (select)

Gibbons, R.E., Peñaloza, F., Wu, Y., Heston, A.J., & Nettleton, K. (2025). Growing the field: Preparing manuscripts for submission to Intersection. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education Conference Proceedings, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.143686
Ngo, T. and Peñaloza, F. (2025). AI-Assisted Semantic Analysis for Curriculum Mapping. Inspirations in AI Innovation, 1, 28-30. Walsh University.
Yoneda, E. and Peñaloza, F. (2025). AI-Enhanced Web Design: Developing a Google Site with Integrated Analytics for the UHWO Data Analytics Club. Inspirations in AI Innovation, 1, 21-22. Walsh University.
Peñaloza, F. (2020). Predicting Success in a Licensure Program. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 2(2), 22-28.
Peñaloza, F., Wilson, J., Pfefer, M. (2019). Academic Indicators as Predictors of Student Success. J Chiropr Educ, 33 (1), 51–77. https://doi.org/10.7899/JCE-18-32

Edited Works (select)

Editor, Special Issue: ACCELERATE: Assessment Principles for Best Practice. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning (AALHE), 2026.
Chamberlain, D., Jeter, R., & Rozier, K. (2026). Towards an Integrated Methodology for Assessing Items in Mathematics Assessments. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning. Early View. https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.158450
Penaloza, F. & Nettleton, K. (2025). Note From the Editors. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 6(3), 1–2. http://doi.org/10.61669/001c.147355
Barta, N. and Mora, J. (2025). A Reflective Practice Process for Using Student Feedback to Enhance Teaching. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education Conference Proceedings, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.143439
Spencer, J. and Winkler, C. (2025). Single-subject research design: A rigorous, responsive, and accessible approach to assessment and evaluation in higher education. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.143704
Gibbons, R. E., Hokien, D., Hutson, B. L., & Maness, H. T. D. (2025). The Potential of Exam Wrappers in Higher Education Assessment Practice: Fostering Self-Efficacy through Guided Self-Reflection. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 6(1). http://doi.org/10.61669/001c.129036
Lambert, L. and Good, M. (2024). An Intentional Approach to Starting a Learning Improvement Project. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 5(4), 25–34.
Wu, Y.C. and Peñaloza, F. (2024). In Memoriam: Jennifer M. Sweet, Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 5(2).
Rogers-Cooper, J., Nair, R.; O’Keeffe, A. (2023). The Power and Peril of Program Reviews: The Resource Paradox of Assessing for Improvement. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 5(4): 3–24. https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.89139.
Kelling, N.J. and Kelling, A. (2022). A Case Study Integrating Edutainment to Enhance Student Engagement and Satisfaction in an Online Graduate Psychology Course. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.36298.
Milligan, S., Rhodes, T., Opoczynski, R., Nastal, J., Heiser C.A., Carvan, M. (2021). Equity in Assessment: The Grand Challenge and Exploration of the Current Landscape. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning, 2(3), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.24575.

Assessment & Policy Contributions

Peñaloza, F. (2022). Comment Letter on Request for Information on the Existence and Use of Large Datasets to Address Education Research Questions. https://www.regulations.gov/comment/ED-2022-IES-0051-0009
Peñaloza, F. (2020). University of Hawaiʻi Analysis of National Trends and Emerging Issues: Appendix A-3: Overview of National Occupational Projections, 2018-2028. https://www.hawaii.edu/ovppp/thirddecade/201231_UH-The_Third_Decade-Annex_A.pdf
Higher Education Assessment Practitioners. (2018, April). Why are we Assessing? Urbana, IL: University of Illinois and Indiana University, National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA).

Media and Public Contributions

Serrano Arvman, Z. (2026, September 10). UH West O‘ahu alum’s research showcased at summer symposium. Ka Puna O Kaloʻi. https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/kaloinews/?p=24655
University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. (2026). Kūlana o Kapolei Spring Newsletter. https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/chancellor/Kulana_o_Kapolei_Spring_2026.pdf
University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. (2026, February 11). Explore career pathways in defense and intelligence communities. Ka Puna O Kaloi. https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/kaloinews/?p=23830
University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. (2025, December 12). Alumni spotlight: Emi Yoneda shares their experience in Business Administration, Data Analytics [Instagram reel]. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSK_9ryDUnV/
Serrano Arvman, Z. (2025, October 27). UH West Oʻahu Alum Presents, Publishes Research on AI-Enhanced Web Design. Ka Puna O Kaloi. https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/kaloinews/?p=23206
University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. (2025, May 5). Spring Impact Report. https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/chancellor/UHWO_ImpactReport_Spring2025_web.pdf
Serrano Arvman, Z. (2024, November 20). The Computational Thinking Hui and AI in the Classroom. Ka Puna O Kaloi. https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/kaloinews/?p=21770

Grants, Fellowships, and Assistantships

Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP), National Science Foundation
Partnership in Advancing Computational Thinking (PACT)
PI Widiasih and co-PI Peñaloza, awarded $824,648; Award #: 2413982

Presentations and Lectures

Presentations (select):

2026

Rimas, B., Lincoln, N., & Peñaloza, F. (2026, July 31). Breadfruit supply forecast alignment and regional nutrient profiles in Hawaiʻi [Poster presentation]. SURE Symposium, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.
Gibbons, R., Wu, Y.C., Peñaloza, F., Nettleton, K., & Heston, A. J. (2026, June 10). Growing the Field: Preparing Manuscripts for Submission to Intersection. AALHE Annual Conference, Online.
Peñaloza, F. (2026, April 15). Career Planning Workshop. Kapolei High School Business Academy.

2025

Yoneda, E., Mulitauaopele, T., & Peñaloza, F. (2025, October 17). AI-Enhanced Web Development and Analytics for UHWO’s Data Analytics Club. PACT Hui Talk Story Session, University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, Kapolei, HI.
Meyer, M., Naihe, U., & Peñaloza, F. (2025, October 2). AI and Consciousness. Waiwai Conference, sponsored by Hawaii Investment Ready, University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, Kapolei, HI.
Peñaloza, F. (2025, August 4). Learning Together: Integrating AI Tools in Business Education. Preparing American Samoa Community College for the AI Era (Leadership Training), Honolulu, HI.
Peñaloza, F. (2025, July 31). AI-Assisted Semantic Analysis for Curriculum Mapping. International AI Conference (Walsh University & University of Cape Coast), Online.
Yoneda, E., & Peñaloza, F. (2025, July 31). AI-Enhanced Web Design: Developing a Google Site with Integrated Analytics for the UHWO Data Analytics Club. International AI Conference (Walsh University & University of Cape Coast), Online.
Wu, Y.C., & Peñaloza, F. (2025, June 27). Intersection & Emerging Dialogues. AALHE Symposium: Connecting Assessment Professionals: Building Community & Collaboration, Online.
Gibbons, R., Wu, Y.C., Peñaloza, F., Nettleton, K., & Heston, A. J. (2025, May 28). Growing the Field: Preparing Manuscripts for Submission to Intersection. AALHE Annual Conference, Alexandria, VA.
Peñaloza, F., Kudo, F., & Miranda, J. (2025, March 24–28). Enhancing the Student Assessment Process: A Strategic Priority. Poster presented at the Assessment for Curricular Improvement Exhibit, UH Mānoa, Honolulu, HI.

2023

Diaz-Oachoa, V., Dzirasa, K., Peñaloza, F., & Shakespeare, T. (2023). Keynote Discussion Panel: Conversations with ABRCMS Alumni. ABRCMS, Phoenix, AZ.

2022

Peñaloza, F. (2022, November). CUNY LEADS: Linking Employment, Academics and Disability Services. Queens College (CUNY), Online.
Peñaloza, F. (2022, April). System-wide Transfer and Articulation. UH Academic Advising and Transfer Network (AATN), Online.

2021

Peñaloza, F. (2021, October). MARC U-STAR Alumni Day Panelist. Queens College (CUNY), Online.
Peñaloza, F. (2021, June). Institution-Level Indicators of Effectiveness. Hawaiʻi-Pacific Evaluation Association Annual Conference, Online.

2019

Peñaloza, F. (2019, May). Undergraduate Graduation Percentage as an Indicator of Student Success. AIR Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
Peñaloza, F., & Puncochar, J. (2019, April). Assessment Planning Small Interest Group. Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
Peñaloza, F. (2019, April). Academic Indicators as Predictors of Student Success. Assessment Matters Conference, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS.

2018

Peñaloza, F. (2018, April). Best Practices for Developing an Institutional Assessment Plan. Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

2011–2010 (Biology Research)

Peñaloza, F., & Zakeri, Z. (2011, June). Influenza A virus kills by apoptosis; autophagy has a dual role in infection. International Cell Death Symposia, São Paulo, Brazil.
Peñaloza, F., & Zakeri, Z. (2010, June). Deficiency in autophagy delays cell death induction of Influenza A. International Cell Death Symposia, Antalya, Turkey.
Peñaloza, F., & Zakeri, Z. (2010, April). Influenza A virus activates caspases but propagation is limited by chaperone-mediated autophagy. Cell Symposia: Influenza, Washington, DC.

Student Presentations Supervised

Mulitauaopele, T. (2025, November 20). Building and Leading the UH West O’ahu Data Analytics Club. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Mulitauaopele, T. (2025, November 20). Evaluating Accessibility and Usability in the UH West O’ahu Data Analytics Club Website. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Mulitauaopele, T. (2025, November 20). FedEx vs UPS: Competitor Analysis (2021-2024). Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Rimas, B. (2025, November 20). Balancing Growth and Profitability: Starbucks and Dutch Bros. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Rimas, B. (2025, November 20). Brewery Sales Dashboard Analysis. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Rimas, B. (2025, November 20). Statistical Evaluation of Netflix and Disney Stock Performance. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Fabel, M. (2025, November 19). Financial Performance Analysis: Domino’s Pizza Inc. vs. Papa John’s International Inc. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu.
Lucero, L. (2025, November 19). Competitor Analysis: Mattel vs. Hasbro. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu.
Miyahara, M. (2025, November 19). Effects of the AI ‘Boom’: NVIDIA and AMD. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu.
Ramos, N.B. (2025, November 19). Competitor Financial Analysis: e.l.f. Beauty Inc. vs Interparfum Inc. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu.
Weldon, J. (2025, November 19). Competitive Analysis Between Adidas AG & Nike, Inc. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu.
Diaz, A.I. (2025, April 16). Water Stress in the U.S.: Analyzing Sectoral Trends and Projections for Sustainable Management. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Ito, N. (2025, April 16). Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Ngo, T. (2025, April 16). Annual Mean Levels of Fine Particulate in Different Areas. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Yamut, M. (2025, April 16). Assessing UN Projection to Achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Yoneda, E. (2025, April 16). Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainability in Cities. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
Kunihiro-Moses, C.L. (2024, November 20). HEFFA Boutique Business Plan. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.
* Ford, C. (2024, November 20). Navigating the Gig Economy: Balancing Flexibility with Worker Well-being. Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, Online Event.

Note: Asterisk (*) indicates Student Research and Creative Works Symposium award recipient

Training

National Forum on Education Statistics, Data Ethics Online Course Certificate
Google Data Analytics Certificate
Google AI Essentials

University of Hawaiʻi -West Oʻahu

Distance Learning Compliance Training
Introduction to OER Workshop Certificate

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Assessment Foundations Achiever Certificate
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Collaborative Assessment Leader Certificate
Safe Zone Training Certificate

University of Hawaiʻi-System

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Explorer Certificate
Preparing to Teach Online at UH Certificate
University of Hawaiʻi Research Security Training Program Certification
Kahua Kūpono: A Foundation for Inclusive Digital Learning

Professional Licenses and Certifications

Certified SCORE Mentor

Memberships

Hawaiʻi Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSCPA)
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE)
International Cell Death Society (ICDS)

Campus Service Activities

Service to the University of Hawaiʻi- West Oʻahu (select)

Current

Faculty Advisor, Data Analytics Club (RISO)

Member, AAC&U Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum (2025-2026)
Senator, Faculty Senate (Business Administration Constituency, 2024-2026)
Member, Student Affairs Committee of the Faculty Senate (2024-2026)
Member, Assessment Committee (2024-2025)
Assessment Coordinator, Business and Cybersecurity Division (2024-2025)

Service to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Member, Assessment Leadership Institute (2024 cohort)
Mentor, Ānuenue Connection Program (advising/retention program for first-year undergraduate students; 2021-2023)

Service to Professional Organizations

Former Chair (elect) of the Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning Committee of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE; 2025-2026)
Certified Mentor for the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE; 2024-2026)
Peer-reviewer, Journal for Advancing Business Education
Peer-evaluator, WASC Senior College and University Commission
Peer-evaluator and Verification of Compliance with Accreditation-Relevant Federal Regulations Reviewer, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (2015-2026)

Service to Neighborhood, City, County, or State

External Reviewer, 2025-2026 MSCHE Self Study, LIM College
Mock Interviewer, Advanced Guidance Mock Job Interview Event at James Campbell High School (2023-2024)
Mentor, City College of New York (CUNY) Grove School of Engineering Data Science Scholars Program Mentor (2022-2024)