The Accreditation Steering Committee

A small group of strong leaders from the sub-committees will serve as the Accreditation Steering Committee to provide oversight and direction for all sub-committees.

Members include:

Randy Brooks, Director of Assessment
Jamie Comstock, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Rich Dunsworth, Vice President for Enrollment
Peg Luy, Vice President of University Development & Alumni Relations
Ron Reck, Vice President of Financial and Business Affairs
Kathy Booker, Dean of the School of Nursing
Ralph Czerwinski, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Jim Dahl, Dean of the Tabor School of Business
Stephen Fiol, Dean of the College of Fine Arts

Core components of this part of the study include:
1A. mission documents
1B. mission recognizes diversity
1C. mission is understood & supported throughout organization
1D. mission is fulfilled through effective leadership (governance and administrative structures)
1E. integrity of the organization is upheld & protected

Members include:
Randy Brooks, Director of Assessment
Jamie Comstock, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Marilyn Davis, Chief of Staff and Board Secretary
Rich Dunsworth, Vice President for Enrollment
Michael Luxner, Professor, School of Music
Peg Luy, Vice President of University Development & Alumni Relations (chair)
Ron Reck, Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs
Charles Smith, Faculty Convener & Associate Professor of Accounting

The Subcommittee on Preparing for the Future (Criterion 2)

This sub-committee will study and write a report on how well “The organization’s allocation of resources and its process for evaluation and planning demonstrate its capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its education, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.” [strategic planning & capacity]

Core components of this part of the study include:
2A. realistically prepares for future
2B. resource base supports programs and is considered in plans to maintain and strengthen their quality in the future
2C. assessment processes inform strategies for continuous improvement
2D. planning aligns with the organization’s mission

Members include:
Anne Marie Berk, Director of Major Gifts (chair)
Laura Birch, Coordinator of Institutional Research
Ruby Brase, Controller
Randy Brooks, Director of Assessment
Jamie Comstock, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Jim Dahl, Dean of the Tabor School of Business
Cheryl Hilgenberg, Chair of the Nursing Department
Bryan Marshall, Media Relations Director
John Mickler, Director of Physical Plant, Safety & Security
Pat Pettit, Director of Information Technology
Amanda Pippitt, Research Librarian
Gerald Smith, Assistant Professor of Management
Ron Reck, Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs

The Subcommittee on Student Learning (Criterion 3a)

This sub-committee will study and write a report on how well “The organization provides evidence of student learning that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission.”
[student learning outcomes for majors]

Core components of this part of the study include:
3A. goals for student learning outcomes are clearly stated for each educational program

Members include:
Ed Acheson, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Chair of Natural Sciences Division
Lori Bales, Assistant Professor of Theatre
Laura Birch, Director of Institutional Research
Randy Brooks, Director of Assessment (chair)
Eduardo Cabrera, Chair of Modern Languages
Cheryl Chamblin, Professor of Economics
Ralph Czerwinski, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Nan Gaylen, Director of the School of Education
Cheryl Hilgenberg, Chair of the Nursing Department
Silas McCormick, Coordinator of Research and Assessment for PACE
Rene Verry, Chair of Social Sciences
Steve Widenhofer, Director of the School of Music

The Subcommittee on Student Learning in University Studies
(Criterion 3a & Criterion 4b, 4c)

This sub-committee will study and write a report on how well “The organization provides evidence of student learning that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission.”
[student learning outcomes for university studies program]

Core components of this part of the study include:
3A. goals for student learning outcomes are clearly stated for each educational program (and integrated with University Studies)
4B. acquisition of a breadth of knowledge and skills and the exercise of intellectual inquiry are integral to educational programs
4C. organization assesses the usefulness of its curricula to students who will live and work in a global, diverse, and technological society

Members include:
Karin Borei, University Library (Off-campus Learning & International Studies)
Carmella Braniger, Director of CWRR (CWRR 1&2)
Randy Brooks, Coordinator of Assessment
Eduardo Cabrera, Chair of the Department of Modern Languages (language/cultures)
Ralph Czerwinski, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Jason Helfer, Assistant Professor of Education (electronic portfolios)
Karla Luxner, Assistant Professor of Nursing & Chair of Global Studies Committee
Eric Martell, Chair of the Physics Department (Natural Science & Lab)
LaDona Martin-Frost, Instructor in School of Music (IN350)
Anne Matthews, Assistant Professor of English (IN250)
Dan Miller, Associate Professor of Math & Computer Science (quantitative reasoning) (chair)
Annette Russo, Assistant Professor of Art (Fine Arts)
Matt Tucker, Instructor of Communication (Freshman Seminar)
Walt Wessel, Registrar

The Subcommittee on Effective Teaching (Criterion 3b, 3c, 3d)

This sub-committee will study and write a report on how well “The organization provides evidence of teaching effectiveness that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission.” [effective teaching evaluation & support]

Core components of this part of the study include:
3B. organization values and supports effective teaching
3C. organization creates effective learning environments
3D. resources support student learning and effective teaching

Members include:
Jamie Comstock, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the new Academic Council (chair)
Kathy Booker, Dean of the School of Nursing
Karin Borei, University Librarian & Director of International Programs
Randy Brooks, Director of Assessment
Ralph Czerwinski, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Jim Dahl, Dean of the Tabor School of Business
Stephen Fiol, Dean of the College of Fine Arts
Nancy Gaylen, Director of the School of Education
Michael O’Conner, Educational Technologist
Debi O’Dea, Director of PACE
Brian Posler, Director of the Honors Program

The Subcommittee on Support for Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge (Criterion 4a, 4d)

This sub-committee will study and write a report on how well “The organization promotes a life of learning for its faculty, administration, staff, and students by fostering and supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility in ways consistent with its mission.”
[infrastructure & financial issues & support]

Core components of this part of the study include:
4A. organization values a life of learning
4D. support ensures that faculty, students, and staff acquire, discover, and apply knowledge responsibly

Members include:
Jamie Comstock, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the new Academic Council (chair)
Kathy Booker, Dean of the School of Nursing
Karin Borei, University Librarian & Director of International Programs
Randy Brooks, Director of Assessment
Ralph Czerwinski, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Jim Dahl, Dean of the Tabor School of Business
Stephen Fiol, Dean of the College of Fine Arts
Nancy Gaylen, Director of the School of Education
Michael O’Conner, Educational Technologist
Debi O’Dea, Director of PACE
Brian Posler, Director of the Honors Program

The Subcommittee on Celebrating the Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge (Criterion 4d)

This sub-committee will study and write a report on how well “The organization promotes a life of learning for its faculty, administration, staff, and students by fostering and supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility in ways consistent with its mission.”
[accomplishments, engagement, performance activities]

Core components of this part of the study include:
4A. organization values a life of learning
4D. support ensures that faculty, students, and staff acquire, discover, and apply knowledge responsibly

Members include:
George Bennett, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Randy Brooks, Director of Assessment
Stephen Fiol, Dean of the College of Fine Arts
Michael Koluch, Director of Student Programs (co-chair)
Brian Posler, Director of the Honors Program
Deb Slayton, Associate Professor of Nursing (co-chair)
Sarah Shupenus, Associate Marketing Director
Rene Verry, Chair of Social Sciences
Ed Walker, Chair of Art
Jacque Wrigley, Executive Secretary for Academic Affairs
David Womack, Dean of Student Life

The Subcommittee on Engagement and Service (Criterion 5)

This sub-committee will study and write a report on how well “As called for by its mission, the organization identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways both value.”

Core components of this part of the study include:
5A. organization learns from the constituencies it serves and analyzes its capacity to serve their needs and expectations
5B. organization has the capacity and the commitment to engage with its identified constituencies and communities
5C. organization is responsive to those constituencies that depend on it for service
5D. internal and external constituencies value the services the organization provides

Members include:
Kathy Booker, Dean of the School of Nursing
Cheryl Chamblin, Professor of Economics
Jamie Comstock, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jan Devore, Director of Alumni
Rich Dunsworth, Vice President for Enrollment (chair)
Pam Folger, Director of Career Center & Experiential Education
Mary Garrison, Assistant Professor of Human Services
Nan Gaylen, Director of School of Education
Stacey Hubbard, Director of the Student Service Center
Lori Kerans, Director of Athletics
Debi O’Dea, Director of PACE
Linda Slagell, Director of Academic Development