Two years from now almost to the day, Metro State will face an accreditation site visit. So if it’s two years away, we don’t need to start planning for it yet, right? Wrong.

Just ask Frieda Holley, who recently ended her short—as in only four months—retirement from her position as associate vice president of Academic Affairs to head-up Metro State’s self-study in anticipation of the site visit March 12-14, 2007.

Holley was the self-study coordinator for Metro’s last accreditation visit in 1997. She notes that in addition to the amount of work that goes into a self-study, there have been substantial changes at the college since the last site visit. “Not only that, but the accreditation criteria have changed and the accrediting unit has changed from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) to The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the NCA.” All of which adds to the immensity of the project.

Under Holley’s direction, an NCA-HLC Steering Committee has been formed and has received its charge from Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Joan Foster. Its 10 responsibilities range from understanding the accreditation process and standards to determining the goals of the self-study process.

The committee has already begun its work, and according to Holley is reviewing the new criteria and developing a self-study plan for the college.

2005-07 NCA-HLC Steering Committee

Frieda Holley
NCA Self-Study Coordinator

Representing Academic Affairs
Linda Curran, Interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for Curriculum and Programs
Assistant NCA Self-Study Coordinator

Representing Administration and Finance
Ellen Boswell, Assistant Director of Institutional Research
Stephanie Moran, Interim Budget Director

Representing Student Services
Gail Bruce-Sanford, Director of the Counseling Center
Jeff Johnson, Associate Registrar

Representing the School of Business
Ann Murphy, Interim Assistant to the Dean of the School of Business
Abel Moreno, Professor of Computer Information Systems

Representing the School of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Hal Tamblyn, Interim Associate Dean of the School of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Larry Langton, Professor of English
Ellen Susman, Professor of Psychology

Representing the School of Professional Studies
Kathy Heyl, Interim Associate Dean of the School of Professional Studies
Jennifer Caine, Associate Professor of Aviation and Aerospace Science

Representing Information Technology
Rick Beck, Director of Application Services

Representing College Communications
Cathy Lucas, Interim Assistant Vice President for Communications

Representing the Faculty Senate
Roberta Hills, Associate Professor of Nursing

Representing the Classified Staff
Vonda Knox, President of the Classified Staff Council, Faculty Senate Administrative Assistant

Representing the Alumni Association
Joan Foster, Professor of Biology

Because three chairs were chosen as representatives of various groups, there is not a separate representative from the Council of Chairs.