NWCCU Advances Higher Ed Accreditation: 3-Year Bachelor Degree and Institutional Collaboration

Changing Higher Ed

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is pioneering new approaches to higher education accreditation that emphasize student success, institutional innovation through collaboration, and continuous improvement. In a recent conversation, NWCCU President Sonny Ramaswamy and Executive Vice President Selena Grace shared insights into how the commission is transforming accreditation to help meet the challenges facing higher education.

What Higher Ed Leaders Will Gain from Listening:

• Understanding Accreditation Changes: Gain insights into innovative accreditation approaches, such as NWCCU’s pilot for a three-year bachelor's degree, which could help your institution stay ahead of regulatory changes and trends.

• Student Success Focus: Learn how accreditation bodies like NWCCU are prioritizing student success and equity, providing you with strategies to improve retention and graduation rates at your institution.

• Institutional Innovation: Discover how the NWCCU is fostering innovation among member institutions, which could inspire you to implement new programs or policies that enhance both academic quality and operational efficiency.

• Collaborative Accreditation Model: Hear about NWCCU’s portfolio model, which emphasizes building strong relationships with institutions, potentially offering your institution a more tailored and supportive accreditation experience.

• Workforce Alignment: Explore how accreditation bodies are aligning educational outcomes with workforce needs, a crucial area for positioning your institution to attract students and meet future job market demands.

Three Key Takeaways for Higher Education Leaders

1. Student-Centered Accreditation: NWCCU's approach puts student success at the forefront of accreditation, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting diverse student populations.
2. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Institutions should leverage disaggregated data to identify and address equity gaps, tailoring their support to meet the needs of different student groups.
3. Embrace Innovation: The NWCCU encourages institutions to think creatively about program delivery and institutional practices, supporting innovations like the three-year bachelor's degree that can make higher education more accessible and efficient.

This podcast offers actionable insights into improving institutional practices, staying compliant with evolving accreditation standards, and ensuring long-term success in higher education.

Read the transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/nwccu-advances-higher-ed-accreditation-with-3-year-bachelor-degree-and-collaboration/ #HigherEducation #HigherEdAccreditation #HigherEdPodcast About Our Guests Sonny Ramaswamy is president of Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which accredits institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and British Columbia. President Barack Obama appointed Sonny to direct the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which funded research and education in food, agriculture, and natural resources. He served as dean of Oregon State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, director of Purdue’s Agricultural Research Programs, university distinguished professor and head of entomology at Kansas State, and professor of entomology at Mississippi State. Sonny’s BSc (Agriculture) and MSc (Entomology) are from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore; his PhD (Entomology) is from Rutgers. He did postdoc research at Michigan State University. Selena M. Grace is currently the Executive Vice President of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). She has been at NWCCU since 2020. Previously, she served as Vice Provost for Academic Strategy & Institutional Effectiveness at Idaho State University. She was a member of the inaugural cohort of the WICHE Western Academic Leadership Academy, and her previous experience includes Chief Academic Officer at the Idaho State Board of Education where she was the primary author and manager of the Complete College Idaho Plan. She is a first-generation college graduate. She has a B.A. in English with a writing emphasis and a minor in Native American Studies from Boise State University, an M.F.A. in creative writing and non-fiction from George Mason University, and a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from Boise State University. About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience, Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of both U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances.

Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.