As part of a comprehensive visit for continued accreditation, Spertus will be visited by a team of consultant evaluators from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) between March 10-12, 2008 (during our annual Winter Distance Learning Seminar). Our last visit was in 1998, at which time Spertus received ten-year accreditation, the longest duration awarded.
In preparation for this important visit, Spertus conducted a serious and reflective Self Study process to demonstrate that it meets the five criteria for NCA accreditation. These criteria are:
- Mission and Integrity
- Preparing for the Future
- Student Learning and Effective Teaching
- Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge
- Engagement and Service
In addition to the Self Study report, which was recently sent to NCA, Spertus must also prepare an extensive set of documentation in advance of the visit by the consultant evaluator team.
Work on the Self Study began in earnest with the formation of a Self Study Steering Committee in December 2006. This Committee includes Board of Trustee members, Institute Administrative Officers, senior College administration, faculty, students, and alumni. After several meetings, the Committee divided into working Subcommittees to examine the criteria for accreditation through four lenses: future planning, learning centeredness, connectivity with constituents, and institutional distinctiveness. The valuable reflections of these Subcommittees provided the foundation for the Self Study.
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Participants on the Self Study Steering Committee,
left to right: Professor Victor Mirelman, Alumni Board President Laura Robson, Professor Philip Lesser |
We are fortunate that we recently completed two important program reviews (in Nonprofit Management and for the masters level Jewish Studies and Jewish Education programs). The findngs of these studies and the new initiatives they recommended were used as part of our Self Study. This whole process afforded us an opportunity not only to demonstrate how our recent changes have improved the quality of our programs, it allowed us a chance to reflect about the College more globally and chart our development far into the future.
As we approach the re-accreditation visit, I ask all students and alumni to share their comments with me and to participate actively in this process.
With many new developments on the horizon, this is an exciting time at Spertus College. All of us on the staff and faculty look forward to a wonderfully rewarding year.
With best wishes,
Dean Phillip Bell, Ph.D.
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
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