• Peer Reviewers

“This has been one of the most rewarding and valuable professional development experiences in my career!”

—Caron Inouye, Ph.D.

Associate Dean, Academic Programs, Curriculum & Assessment

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor

 
The peer review process is the core of our accreditation system — a hallmark of quality assurance in American higher education — and its strength and success depend on the generous contribution of insight, effort, and time by hundreds of dedicated volunteers each year. Peer Reviewers are selected for review teams based on their expertise and experience and reflect a skillful blend of members in terms of gender, race and ethnic diversity, and professional background while also reflecting WSCUC’s member institutions, student bodies, and communities.

Hallmarks of effective Peer Reviewers are inquisitiveness, asking why and how during their institutional visits, and bringing the qualities of fairness and reasonableness to their inquiries. They collaborate with their peers to make unbiased recommendations to the commission after reviewing an institution.

WSCUC Peer Reviewers receive training prior to their first visit so they are prepared to both review an institution and work effectively as part of a team. Being a Peer Reviewer offers the opportunity for professional development, strengthening of a network of colleagues, deepening your knowledge of academic best practices and of the accreditation process.
 

“Serving as a peer reviewer with WSCUC is engaging and immersive professional development. It has allowed me to gain insight and knowledge from my colleagues in higher education while developing a comprehensive understanding of WSCUC’s accreditation Standards. I am certain the knowledge I gained as a peer reviewer helped inform my institution’s reaffirmation of accreditation process.”

—Laura Palucki Blake, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Harvey Mudd College

 

Becoming a Peer Reviewer

Please complete the Peer Reviewer Interest Form if you are interested in serving as a peer reviewer. If you have questions about this form, or about service on an accreditation visit, please contact vipsupport@wscuc.org.

Peer Reviewer Interest Form

Peer Reviewer Key Resources

This page provides resources specific to our peer reviewers who volunteer to serve in this important role, including details about the Volunteer Information Portal (VIP) and our Conflict of Interest Policy. Information related to the accreditation process specific to Peer Review Teams can be found on the Peer Teams Resources page.

FEATURED | PROCESS

Volunteer Information Portal (VIP) Login

The Volunteer Information Portal (VIP) is for Peer Reviewers and other volunteers in our community. A person’s VIP account allows them to: create and update their profile; share areas of expertise and necessary details to be considered for future volunteer opportunities; view current team information and see peer reviewer history via My Teams; and access the Key Indicators Dashboard (KID).

FEATURED | HANDBOOK

WSCUC 2023 Standards of Accreditation

The 2023 Standards are designed to advance quality, accountability, and improvement in service of equitable student learning, student success, and institutional effectiveness. They establish the foundational values and broad principles of good practice by which an institution achieves and maintains accreditation with WSCUC and also form the basis for institutional review.

PROCESS

About the Volunteer Information Portal (VIP)

The Volunteer Information Portal (VIP) is for Peer Reviewers and other volunteers in our community. A person’s VIP account allows them to: create and update their profile; share areas of expertise and necessary details to be considered for future volunteer opportunities; view current team information and see peer reviewer history via My Teams; and access the Key Indicators Dashboard (KID).

WORKSHOPS & TRAINING MATERIALS

Accreditation Resource Conference (ARC)

WSCUC’s Accreditation Resource Conference (ARC) is an annual gathering of WSCUC and the broader higher education community that focuses on issues of critical importance and features presentations and content geared towards accreditation and institutional improvement.

GUIDES & MANUALS

Assistant Chair Role and Responsibilities Guide

This guide describes the responsibilities of an institution accreditation team’s assistant chair in providing support for the team and chair throughout the accreditation process.

POLICY

Conflict of Interest Policy

This policy describes the duty to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest applying to all participants in the accreditation process pertaining to an institution. This includes individuals who are selected to serve on review teams, Commissioners, committee and panel members, working group members, staff members, consultants, and any other individual who acts on behalf of the Commission. It complements Commission expecations related to ethical conduct.

WEBINAR

For Teams: Preparing for and Participating in a WSCUC Accreditation Review

A webinar for fall 2021 review team members preparing to participate in an accreditation review. Recorded on August 19, 2021.

WEBINAR

Peer Reviewer Training – Reaffirmation of Accreditation Webinar

This webinar provides training for peer reviewers participating in a Reaffirmation of Accreditation review. Recorded on August 18, 2022.

WEBINAR

Peer Reviewer Training – Seeking Accreditation Webinar

This webinar provides training for peer evaluators participating in a Seeking Accreditation review. Recorded on August 22, 2022.

WEBINAR

Peer Reviewer Training – Special Visit Webinar

This webinar provides training for peer evaluators participating in a Special Visit review. Recorded on August 25, 2022.