WSCUC Commissioners play crucial roles in furthering excellence, equity, and engagement in higher education and promoting student success while participating in significant policy and decision making. The Nominating Committee invites nominations, including self-nominations, by December 31, 2023 for Commissioner terms that will begin July 1, 2024.

All nominees should have an interest in quality assurance and improvement through accreditation, be committed to equitable student success in higher education, and demonstrate independent judgment, high ethical standards, and responsibility for their Commission duties. Commissioners are expected to be both open and rigorous in the application of Commission Standards.

Institutional Commissioners are drawn from among presidents/CEOs, faculty, and administrators of WSCUC-accredited institutions around the world. Because of the diversity of member institutions in terms of mission, affiliation, programs, size, complexity, and location, it is important that Commissioners be sensitive to the rich range of institutions served by the Commission and their diverse student bodies.

Public Commissioners help assure independence and fresh perspectives on the Commission by bringing expertise and experience from beyond higher education or from institutions not accredited by WSCUC.

The top priorities as the Nominating Commission selects the new slate of candidates are people–

1. with expertise in:
• equity, diversity, and inclusion leadership, pedagogy, scholarship, services, and programming.
• financial and business matters, including financial planning, management, and sustainability, and financial, legal, or business analysis of complex arrangements and transactions in higher education.
• organizational change and governance
2. who will contribute to the Commission’s diversity, including diversity of race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability status, and other backgrounds.
3. who qualify for public commissioner positions because their professional experience is substantially in fields beyond higher education, including public and community service, business and finance, law, policy, research, and non-profit leadership.

Service on the Commission requires a serious commitment. The Commission meets three times a year (February, June, and November) for 2 1/2 days. Preparation is substantial, requiring review of team reports and policy materials. Each Commissioner also serves on one or more Commission committee(s) or work groups. Commissioners are invited, and find it valuable, to serve occasionally as members of accrediting teams and to attend WSCUC educational programs. Prior service on accrediting teams is not required but is valuable and recommended.

As a nominator, you must:

1. Contact nominee to confirm his/her/their willingness to serve.
2. Email the following three items to: kmatarrese@wscuc.org
• a completed Nomination Form
• the nominee’s curriculum vitae/resume
• nominee’s brief statement on their interest in serving on the Commission and how their professional experience aligns with the Commission responsibilities and priorities for new commissioners.

The nomination period ends December 31, 2023