Accreditation Conversations is a podcast for higher education leaders seeking collaborative insights on the accreditation process.
Our episodes will feature conversations from education colleagues about all things institutional effectiveness. You’ll hear about higher education accreditation and assessment, data analysis and software, and the labor of love that is creating narratives, not just processes. Welcome to Accreditation Conversations!
Accreditation in the U.S. is unique in many ways — one reason why understanding how it works across all the various levels is so important.
We spoke with André Foisy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/afoisy/), Executive Director for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Analytics at Excelsior University (https://www.excelsior.edu/), regarding his time as a recent CHEA Fellow to get an inside look at how CHEA develops, initiates, and enforces various policies and requirements. Though CHEA is the accreditor of accreditors, institutions are also their members who they serve and support as well. According to André, embracing an anthropological lens to understanding the nuances of accreditation can help educational establishments better understand what accreditation means, how to achieve each standard, and how to best leverage accreditation for positive outcomes.
Join us as we discuss:
How institutional accreditation is interpreted, negotiated, and leveraged as a vital tool
The importance of Linda Suskie’s five dimensions of quality and the influence of these on André’s work with signals of quality
The impact of AALHE on the assessment community
13 Oct 2023
Embracing Collective Success with Collaborative Accreditation with Dr. Roberta Ross-Fisher
“Accreditation isn’t something we have to do. It’s something we should want to do as part of our mission to support students and provide them with a high-quality, high-value educational experience.” - Dr. Roberta Ross-Fisher
Yet this mindset can take a while to fully grasp. Dr. Roberta Ross-Fisher (https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberta-ross-fisher-46a768238/), higher education consultant of Global Educational Consulting, LLC (https://robertarossfisher.com/), says many see accreditation as a carrot and a stick — accreditation is the stick and quality education is the carrot. But according to Dr. Ross-Fisher, this mindset is backwards. Accreditation is all carrot, no stick — fueled by pure intentions with students in mind. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t obstacles in the way. Fortunately, there are many thought leaders and colleagues actively advocating and working to break down barriers in the way of providing the best possible education across programs and institutions..
Join us as we discuss:
Recognizing and addressing current challenges in accreditation
Accreditation as a vehicle for optimal collaboration
Potential future directions of accreditation in higher education
11 Sept 2023
Academic Freedom, Institutional Autonomy, and Quality: A Conversation with CHEA
Our host Dr. Amy Dykens (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-dykens-6282434/) sits down with Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-jackson-hammond-831a68229/), a passionate advocate for academic quality and institutional autonomy in higher education. Dr. Jackson Hammond is a distinguished figure in the field with her extensive work in support of institutional autonomy as president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (https://www.chea.org/). CHEA is the only national organization in the United States focused exclusively on higher education accreditation and quality assurance, recognizing accrediting organizations and advocating for institutions.
They discuss the federal and state legislative impact on higher education and the significance of CHEA recognition on accreditation. Dr. Jackson Hammond highlights the future of higher education and accreditation including AI, DEI, and facilitating open discussion and safe harbors.
Join as we discuss:
The importance of institutional autonomy
Ensuring academic quality and student success
The significance of engagement and advocacy
Creating dialogue to encourage innovation
Read Dr. Jackson Hammond's full bio below!
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Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond became Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) President on August 1, 2020.
Dr. Jackson Hammond, Ed.D. has been a member of the higher education community for more than 30 years. Her professional career has included tenured and administrative positions in universities throughout various regions of the United States: University of Louisiana Monroe, California State University Dominguez Hills; Delaware State University; University of North Carolina Charlotte, Winston-Salem State University; and Coppin State University. Most recently, Dr. Jackson Hammond completed her tenure as president of Central State University in Ohio.
Dr. Jackson Hammond has spent the majority of her career in higher education administration, serving as a president, provost, and dean, as well as a director of TRIO programs. She has served on national boards of directors, including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund; NCAA Division II Presidents Council; the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; and she also served on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation Board of Directors. She has appeared multiple times on Capitol Hill, including providing testimony on the status of 1890 Land-Grant institutions.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University, her Master’s degree in Education and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and her Doctorate in Education in dual cognate areas, curriculum and instruction and student personnel services from Grambling State University.
Dr. Jackson Hammond serves on the Fulbright Council for International Exchange Scholars (CIES) Advisory Board, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) Council for...
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