KANSAS CITY, Mo. – August 21, 2024 – As a new school year begins, Avila University is announcing a new certificate program in Higher Education Assessment and Accreditation Management. This comprehensive, 12-credit program is designed for higher education professionals seeking specialized expertise in managing the accreditation and assessment processes.
This program is another example of Avila’s commitment to Education Without Limits as its online model offers flexibility for working professionals while offering a collaborative learning environment.
“This program is designed to equip higher education professionals with the skills necessary to lead and manage critical assessment and accreditation processes,” said Dr. Bryan DePoy, Avila’s provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “At Avila, we are committed to strengthening the higher education landscape by empowering professionals with a deep understanding of these essential areas. What sets this program apart is its comprehensive approach, which begins with a foundation in project management and integrates key components of assessment practices and strategic leadership, making it both widely applicable and uniquely valuable across the sector.”
Since its founding more than 100 years ago, Avila has been dedicated to the advancement of education and has long valued excellence in teaching and learning. This program allows professionals to become proficient in higher education design principles that will allow them to propel their individual career while strengthening their respective institutions.
“When one institution succeeds, we all succeed,” said Jim Burkee, president of Avila. “This certificate helps bolster quality assurance and leadership skills for those in higher education in a way that will strengthen colleges and universities during a time those qualities are needed most. Our hope with this program is that educators will take what they learn and apply it within their institutions, elevating higher education standards. That is what Education Without Limits means to us.”
This program is offered in Avila’s hybrid model, combining both asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities during each 8-week session. Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and ideally, they serve in a role in higher education that is relevant to the skills developed in the program. Interested individuals will submit a resume outlining career experience and future aspirations along with a personal statement as to why they are a fitting candidate.
“In my view, given the tremendous changes we’re witnessing in the higher education sector, it’s crucial to understand how to approach quality assurance initiatives and compliance matters more efficiently,” said DePoy, who will be actively participating in the instruction of this course. “This program offers a unique opportunity for professionals in higher education to develop the skills necessary to navigate these challenges successfully. I’m confident we will see great success with this program.”
DePoy also serves as a Team Chair and Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), as well as a Peer Evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The program will continue to draw upon national experts to teach in the program. Joining DePoy in teaching the inaugural cohort are Dr. Anne Clark Bartlett, provost and vice president of academic affairs at St. Elizabeth University, and Dr. Vincent Palombo, associate professor of management at Tiffin University and former vice president of academic affairs at Notre Dame College in Ohio.