ERIC Number: EJ1133811
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Sep
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2157-6254
EISSN: N/A
Share Your Voice: Online Community Building during Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Kruse, Brenda; Bonura, Kimberlee Bethany; James, Suzanne G.; Potler, Shelley
Higher Learning Research Communications, v3 n3 p40-63 Sep 2013
Walden University recently underwent a successful reaffirmation of accreditation process with The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As part of the 3-year process, a committee, named the Education and Communication working group, was formed to inform and engage with the entire Walden community. The aim of this report is to describe the process and strategies this working group employed to achieve those goals in a distance learning environment. The primary charges of the Education and Communication working group were to (1) educate stakeholders about the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the importance of accreditation, and their role in the accreditation process; (2) provide consistent and quality communication to ensure stakeholders are appropriately informed about HLC and the self-study process; and (3) create and execute an appropriate and supportive communication and education plan during the HLC self-study process. The Education and Communication working group primarily focused on internal stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff. Additional outreach specifically addressed associated individuals, such as alumni and field site supervisors. Other institutions may define their constituencies differently but will find that the goals, plans, and strategies described here will help them to achieve involvement by their stakeholders in accreditation processes.
Descriptors: Accreditation (Institutions), Distance Education, Change Strategies, Stakeholders, Planning Commissions, Computer Mediated Communication, Operations Research, Agency Role, Organizational Communication, Strategic Planning, Teacher Characteristics, Student Characteristics, Staff Role, Alumni, College Planning
Laureate Education, Inc. 650 South Exeter Street #12, Baltimore, MD 21202. Tel: 410-843-6100; e-mail: hlrceditor@laureate.net; Web site: http://www.hlrcjournal@laureate.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Minnesota (Minneapolis)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A