About Us
Helping Learners Since 1941
The Michigan Tests originated from the first university-based intensive English program in the United States.
Michigan Language Assessment helps people achieve their education and career goals by providing trusted English language exams that draw on the expertise of two of the world’s leading universities.
Our story began in 1941 when the University of Michigan established the English Language Institute (ELI). This pioneering organization was the first university-based intensive English program in the United States and the first language research and teaching program of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Its influence grew in 1953 when the U.S. government commissioned the University of Michigan to develop an English language test. Over the years, we’ve continued developing and administering a portfolio of secure, research-informed exams worldwide.
In 2010, the testing division of the University of Michigan English Language Institute joined with Cambridge Assessment English to form Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments, a not-for-profit collaboration. In 2018, we rebranded to Michigan Language Assessment. As our organization has changed and grown through the years, we have continued to invest in research that ensures our tests are valid, reliable, fair, and accessible. We are committed to delivering outstanding and reliable English language assessments based on our 70+ years of assessment expertise and reflecting the values of two leading, world-renowned universities.
Today, universities, education departments, businesses, and government agencies around the world rely on our English language tests to assess and verify the proficiency of English language learners of all ages and levels. Our comprehensive range of tests enables students worldwide to expand their personal opportunities, gain internationally recognized certification, and improve their educational or professional prospects.
The University of Michigan, founded in 1817, is one of the top public research universities in North America. With more than 575,000 alumni, the University of Michigan is a well-known and highly respected presence in higher education and beyond.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge, has over 100 years of experience assessing English language proficiency in 130 countries.
Leadership
Sharon Harvey
Chief Executive Officer
Originally from the U.K., Sharon Harvey is a global leader in language assessment and education strategy. She holds a BA (Hons) in Spanish & Portuguese from the University of Southampton, an MA from the University of Cambridge, and an MBA from the University of Nottingham. With more than a decade of leadership experience at Cambridge Assessment English—including roles in Latin America and publishing—she has driven innovation and growth across the sector. In 2022, she led the team that won the Surpass Innovation Award for the design of MET Go! Digital. As Chief Executive Officer at Michigan Language Assessment, she oversees the organization’s strategic direction and fosters global impact in English language testing.
Amanda McConville
Director of Business Management
Hailing from Australia, Amanda McConville is a seasoned business strategist with deep expertise in financial management, human resources, and IT systems in educational and healthcare settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master’s in Professional Accounting, both from the University of Queensland. With a strong background in leading financial operations in both public and private sectors, she is known for driving strategic improvements and operational efficiency. At Michigan Language Assessment, she oversees business operations and provides strategic leadership in organizational management.
Elizabeth Flahie
Director of Assessment and Operations
Elizabeth Flahie is an experienced operations and assessment professional. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from Eastern Michigan University. Before joining the education sector, she played a pivotal role in the automotive industry in León, Guanajuato, overseeing facility development, team building, and corporate culture transformation. At Michigan Language Assessment, she has steadily advanced through roles in operations and management and now leads assessment and operational strategy.
Fernando Fleurquin, MD, Ed.D.
Special Advisor, Government Relations and Education
Born in Uruguay, Dr. Fernando Fleurquin is a distinguished educator and language assessment expert with more than 30 years of experience in English language teaching and testing across global contexts. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), a master’s in marketing and business management, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in higher education from the University of North Texas. A frequent conference presenter in over twenty countries, he has focused on teacher development, test validation, and educational program evaluation. He is a recipient of the Spaan Fellowship for his research on validating English exams for young learners. At Michigan Language Assessment, he serves as Special Advisor for Government Relations and Education, bringing his extensive expertise to strategic partnerships and outreach.
Mika Hoffman, PHD
Director of Assessment
Mika Hoffman is a linguist and assessment expert with extensive experience in designing high-stakes language exams. She holds a BA in Linguistics and French from Swarthmore College, a PhD in Linguistics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MA in Teaching Foreign Languages from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She has contributed to major assessments such as the UExcel exams, the Defense Language Proficiency Test, and the GRE, and her published research spans topics in syntax, language acquisition, and open credentialing. At Michigan Language Assessment, she leads assessment design and innovation across the organization’s English language exams.
Geoffrey Moody
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Geoff Moody is the director of marketing and business development, where he is responsible for most commercial functions of the Michigan Language Assessment, including marketing, business development and recognition. Before joining Michigan Language Assessment, Geoff worked in strategic marketing for both IELTS and Pearson and spent the first half of his career overseeing international enrollment management departments at several American universities and colleges. Geoff has a BSc (Honors) in Biology, an MSc (Honors) in Education Administration and an MBA (Honors) from the University of Washington.
Daniel Lieberson
Assistant Director of Business Development
Daniel Lieberson leads the team responsible for the organization’s global and regional business development. As a member of the senior management team, he contributes to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the long-term strategic business plan and the overall success of the business by developing and maintaining strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders. Before joining Michigan Language Assessment, he was as an English Language Specialist for the U.S. Department of State for one year and worked as the Senior Director of Business and Product & Service Operations at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) in Washington D.C for 15 years. At CAL he led several teams with multiple projects in Latin America, the Middle East, and China. Daniel has considerable experience in ESL, ESP, and EFL teaching, testing and assessment, and technical assistance. Daniel is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds an MBA in international business from the University of Maryland’s Smith School.
Daniel Lieberson
Assistant Director of Business Development
Daniel Lieberson leads the team responsible for the organization’s global and regional business development. As a member of the senior management team, he contributes to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the long-term strategic business plan and the overall success of the business by developing and maintaining strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders. Before joining Michigan Language Assessment, he was as an English Language Specialist for the U.S. Department of State for one year and worked as the Senior Director of Business and Product & Service Operations at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) in Washington D.C for 15 years. At CAL he led several teams with multiple projects in Latin America, the Middle East, and China. Daniel has considerable experience in ESL, ESP, and EFL teaching, testing and assessment, and technical assistance. Daniel is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds an MBA in international business from the University of Maryland’s Smith School.
Tarvin Taneja
Director of Digital Integration
Tarvin Taneja is the director of Digital Integration at Michigan Language Assessment, where he manages the organization’s digital transformation; developing and implementing the digital strategy to improve the organization’s business processes by leveraging new technologies. Before joining Michigan Language Assessment, he worked in the automotive, finance, defense, and oil industries where he led teams to design state-of-the-art systems. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science & mathematics and a master’s degree in computer science.
Daniel Lieberson
Assistant Director of Business Development
Daniel Lieberson leads the team responsible for the organization’s global and regional business development. As a member of the senior management team, he contributes to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the long-term strategic business plan and the overall success of the business by developing and maintaining strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders. Before joining Michigan Language Assessment, he was as an English Language Specialist for the U.S. Department of State for one year and worked as the Senior Director of Business and Product & Service Operations at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) in Washington D.C for 15 years. At CAL he led several teams with multiple projects in Latin America, the Middle East, and China. Daniel has considerable experience in ESL, ESP, and EFL teaching, testing and assessment, and technical assistance. Daniel is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds an MBA in international business from the University of Maryland’s Smith School.