A Journey Across Continents
When Sharon Harvey first joined Michigan Language Assessment in 2016, it was on assignment from Cambridge Assessment, now known as Cambridge University Press & Assessment (the majority owner of Michigan Language Assessment, along with the University of Michigan) for a limited term as CEO.
At Cambridge, she had risen through the ranks from her first role as business development manager to her last role as director of Cambridge Exams Publishing. “I agreed to accept the CEO role for a maximum of five years, with the intention of then returning to the U.K.” But as the five-year mark drew near, Harvey’s passion for and commitment to the mission of Michigan Language Assessment had grown to the point where she wanted to remain and lead the organization in its growth and expansion. It’s a decision she has never regretted.
Harvey’s journey began not in assessment, but in English language teaching in Argentina and Brazil. “I always knew I wanted to be in this area,” she said. “I wanted a job that allowed me to combine my love of education, language, and travel.”
Her language teaching background led her to Bell Language Schools in Cambridge, where she recruited students from Europe and Latin America to English language courses in the U.K. “I witnessed firsthand how hard students worked to acquire their English language skills, and saw the impact it had on them.”
This recruitment experience made her a natural fit for her next role as business development manager for Latin America with the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, part of Cambridge Assessment. “It was my dream job,” she recalls, putting her in a position to use her background, skills, experience, and interest in an exciting new role – and laying the foundation for her future. “I learned so much working at Cambridge,” she said. “For 14 years, I worked with leaders in the assessment industry, leaders who shared their knowledge with me and gave me the insights required to lead a global organization.”
Leading Michigan Language Assessment
Harvey has been with Michigan Language Assessment for nine years, advancing its mission by setting the strategic direction and ensuring the organization expands to be at the forefront of the industry. For her, the organization’s mission underpins her work. “I do believe very strongly in our mission,” she said, “in large part because of my own experience as a second-language learner…as someone who has worked and lived abroad.
“I am in this role in part because of the qualifications I have earned, and I wouldn’t have been granted my visas to work in the United States without those qualifications,” she added. “I believe in the transformative power of education and qualifications. People who are taking our assessments genuinely have the opportunity to transform their lives and, and in some cases, transform the lives of their families,” Harvey said.
This belief drives her efforts to expand opportunities for individuals worldwide. This is particularly evident in the organization’s recent work with the nursing profession, bringing the Michigan English Test (MET) to countries like the Philippines to help healthcare workers secure visas to work in the U.S.
Navigating Challenges and Innovations
The landscape of language assessment has evolved significantly in recent years, and Harvey highlights the challenges and innovations that have come with it.
“The market dynamics have changed,” she notes, pointing to the rise of competitors that entered the assessment market from a technology background rather than an academic one. “The industry has evolved significantly, especially with technological advancements. When I started, exams were paper-based and shipped globally for delivery. Now, we see on-demand digital delivery, automated scoring, item generation using AI, and immersive technologies like VR coming into play. These innovations provide new opportunities for more comprehensive and flexible assessments.”
AI, in particular, is a game-changer in the industry. “Suddenly, AI is part of everyday life and part of the assessment industry,” Harvey said.
The potential of AI in item development and scoring, but also as a new form of malpractice, shows both the opportunities and the challenges of new technologies. The industry’s shift from paper-based exams to digital delivery and machine marking reflects a broader technological transformation that Michigan Language Assessment continues to navigate.
Standing out in the Market
In a competitive market projected to grow by over 20 percent between 2024 and 2032, Harvey recognizes that the Michigan Tests aren’t the only option for test takers, or the best known, but believes there is room in the assessment industry for a test such as MET.
“Michigan Language Assessment exams, especially MET, have friendly and accessible formats,” Harvey said. “When I used to teach and prepare students for various exams, I noticed that sometimes the exam format itself was an obstacle. Where MET is different,” Harvey noted, “is that it has a user-friendly format, allowing individuals to demonstrate their English proficiency without the need for extensive preparation or specialized vocabulary.”
Ongoing investment in research ensures Michigan Tests are valid, reliable, fair, and accessible on par with other reputable proficiency tests on the market. But it is this differentiating factor – an emphasis on the test taker – that Harvey believes will allow MET – and Michigan Language Assessment – to grow exponentially around the globe. “Our tests are not easy,” she emphasized, “but our test takers tell us they are easier to prepare for than others because the content is pertinent to everyday conversation and communication, and the format is accessible.”
Strategic Partnerships and Support
Strategic partnerships play a vital role in Michigan Language Assessment’s success, and an emphasis on relationship-building with external stakeholders has contributed to its reputation. Since its founding, it has worked with a network of trusted test centers in key geographies to deliver its tests. In 2021, Harvey developed a partnership with Prometric, a global assessment services provider, to deliver Michigan Tests at their centers around the world, enabling growth to new locations while maintaining the security and reliability of its exams.
“Our partnership with Prometric significantly enhanced our capability to deliver exams securely worldwide. During the pandemic, it also helped us transition from paper-based exams to a more flexible testing option,” Harvey said.
Support from parent organizations Cambridge University Press & Assessment and the University of Michigan also provides expertise, technological infrastructure, and industry knowledge that bolster Michigan Language Assessment’s mission.
Harvey also underscores the importance of other key partners, such as the Hellenic American Union in Greece and a network of long-standing test centers throughout Latin America. These and other partners around the world not only deliver Michigan Tests securely, but provide trusted and reliable insights into test taker and other stakeholder needs, ensuring the assessments remain relevant and reliable in a rapidly changing industry.
These important partnerships have allowed Michigan Language Assessment to grow over the years, but Harvey is always keeping an eye on the future. “We want to be known for more than our exams; we want to provide expertise and support along the stakeholder journey, from language training through proficiency testing and beyond. We can do so much more to fulfill our mission to help people achieve their education and career goals.”
Advice for women who aspire to become leaders
When asked what advice Harvey would give to women who aspire to be in leadership roles in their careers, she gave a few key pieces of advice.
“Believe in yourself, and trust your knowledge and skills. Building networks within and beyond your organization is essential for support and opportunities. Work hard, stay committed, and constantly seek to upgrade your qualifications and skills. Though I never expected to become a CEO, persistence, networking, and belief in your capabilities can take you further than you might imagine,” Harvey said.
Additionally, Harvey notes that getting an MBA was one of the best personal investments she has made. Her MBA equipped her with key business knowledge and skills that she still uses today, and she encourages prospective executives to consider this degree before making that vertical leap up the corporate ladder.
Managing stress and building support networks
“Truthfully, being a CEO can be quite a lonely job because there’s an expectation that you have all the answers, and never have a bad day. But of course real life happens around me in the same way that it does to everybody else,” Harvey said.
To manage the demands of the job, networking, especially with other women in senior roles, has been extremely important for her.
“In my case, I’ve built relationships with many strong women with whom I have come up through the assessment and education industries, and who I can go to when I need support or advice,” Harvey said.
In addition to a strong network, Harvey has followed the same mantra for a number of years: work hard, play hard, and exercise hard. Swimming is one of the best ways for Harvey to clear her head and release stress, and she believes that many of her best ideas come to her while in the water.
Looking after oneself both physically and mentally is one of the biggest pieces of advice Harvey can give to anyone. “If you don’t look after yourself physically, it’s really hard to look after yourself mentally. And you have to look after yourself mentally to be able to run a business and lead a team,” Harvey said.
The Future of Language Assessment
Looking ahead, Harvey envisions continued technological advancements shaping the industry. She sees potential in immersive technologies like VR for more dynamic and engaging assessments. “There are so many other ways that you could evaluate somebody’s ability to communicate effectively in English,” Harvey said.
The rise of micro-credentialing and digital badges is another trend Harvey acknowledges. While Michigan Language Assessment is not currently involved in this space, she recognizes its growing importance in education and professional development. However, a key challenge is to ensure that these new forms of credentials maintain the trust and reliability that traditional assessments provide.
Harvey’s journey from an English language teacher to the CEO of Michigan Language Assessment reflects her deep commitment to education and the transformative power of qualifications. Under her leadership, the organization continues to navigate the evolving landscape of language assessment, embracing innovation while maintaining a steadfast focus on trust and validity. As the industry evolves, Michigan Language Assessment remains dedicated to opening up opportunities for individuals worldwide, empowering them to achieve their goals through high-quality language assessments offered by people who understand personally the challenges, opportunities, and satisfaction that come from opening the doors to learning a new language, living in a new country, and truly expanding their horizons.