Regional accreditation agencies require that higher education institutions conduct student-learning assessment, and the U.S. Department of Education is pushing for more transparent accountability. Using the University of Hawai'i at MÄnoa (UHM) as an example, I describe how a practical participatory evaluation (P-PE) approach can meet accreditation demands for program-level assessment of student learning and hold the institution responsible for student learning. I explain the factors related to UHM's organizational culture and values that made P-PE an appropriate evaluation approach. This presentation is aimed at those interested in program assessment of student learning at a research university or in factors contributing to P-PE success. Session attendees will leave knowing factors that led to positive reception of P-PE as an evaluation approach; strategies to grow P-PE in an organization; and how P-PE results can be used to meet regional accreditation requirements. #AssessmentinHigherEducation #2011Conference #Collaborative,ParticipatoryandEmpowermentEval