As an institutional researcher, most of my work in assessment (i.e., the systematic process of ensuring quality and improvement) has centered on numbers and rigid methodology. But that approach only allows for limited understanding of the student experience. It was not until I joined the New York Film Academy (NYFA) that I began to see the value of storytelling as a method of assessment.
A powerful story is one generated by an author with a strong sense of purpose, building characters...
I have been thinking lately about the saying “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
While traditionally used in financial contexts to indicate that a strong economy benefits everyone, I have heard it pop up more and more in higher education discussions around graduation rates and student success.
I have to say I am skeptical: Even if it is true that many colleges and universities have succeeded in yielding better results in higher education outcomes for all of their...
“If I keep no record of what I do, I can always assume I’ve succeeded.”
-- Stephen Colbert to Bill Gates on The Colbert Report
Stephen Colbert’s response to Bill Gates’ discussion of how data helps us see our strengths and weaknesses may have generated uproarious laughter from his audience, but he also struck a nerve with those of us who engage with data and review for a living. Many programs resist institution-wide data or program review because...
I have fond childhood memories of family dinners with relatives and family friends at our local Chinese restaurant. Often, there was a kids’ table next to the adult table that was filled with “kid-friendly” dishes: fried rice, kung pao chicken, and some sort of green leafy vegetable (usually bok choy). Meanwhile, the adult table was filled with the fancy pan-fried crab, whole fish on the bone, and a complex and umami-filled seafood soup.
Perhaps I was the kid with the sophisticated...
My parents recently gave me a box that was packed from my boyhood room. This box, taped shut since 1984, contained an item that speaks to the work many of us do, particularly if we’ve come to the ARC.
When I opened the box, my eye caught the spine of a book: Learn Magic by Henry Hay. I had a childhood fascination with performing magic. In elementary school, I studied the covert mechanisms behind “drawing room” illusions that used...
Across the nation, colleges and universities are welcoming more students of color than ever before. From the inspiring accessibility of community colleges to the sacred halls of four-year universities, institutions are not only welcoming students of color but a growing intersection of first-generation students. With this rising trend, how do we as institutions of higher education evaluate our current advising practices to best engage and empower these students towards academic and personal...
I am a student entering college. How do I know that I will gain the knowledge and learn the skills I need for my career – for my first job and, say…for the next 30 years?
I am a faculty member. How do I know I am teaching, guiding, and mentoring students to be ready to address societal and work-force needs?
I am an employer. How do I know that the graduate I hire is prepared and will be successful?
I am an institutional leader. How can I ensure that we are developing...
WSCUC will host its annual Academic Resource Conference (ARC) April 10 - 12 in Garden Grove, California. The conference brings together institutional leaders and stakeholders to discuss critical issues facing colleges and universities, including closing equity gaps, supporting underserved and...
The March 2019 announcement of Argosy University’s closure creates serious challenges for students. WSCUC’s top priority is to work with Argosy and other accredited colleges and universities to facilitate students’ ability to continue their education. More information here.
WSCUC officially withdrew Argosy’s accreditation on March 17, 2019 except for limited...
On March 17, 2019, WSCUC withdrew accreditation from Argosy University. Argosy's accreditation will continue through May 12, 2019 for the exclusive purposes of (1) issuing degrees to students who are in their final term (provided Argosy faculty certifies those students as completing their degree requirements) and (2) providing students with access to academic transcripts and services to facilitate transfer to or completion at other institutions.
WSCUC’s top priority is to support...
