Nearly 80 faculty and staff participated in a “kick-off meeting” on Jan. 18 as part of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s progress toward accreditation.
A self-study analysis that is now under way is one of the “final milestones” of becoming an accredited institution during 2015, according to a press release from the college.
“The college’s process toward accreditation by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education continues to represent an opportunity for us to discover what works and what needs additional work in every area of the college – from academic programmes to administrative practices,” said Dr. Janet Smith, the college’s accreditation consultant.
Currently, the institution is compliant with the basic eligibility requirements and has recently met “all 14 of the accreditation standards,” Dr. Smith added.
Still, she said, “the recommendations and suggestions offered to us by ourselves, as well as our peers who completed the site visit last April, point out that there is still much work to be done.”
To that end, the college should work toward providing evidence of its accomplishments and better documenting how it assesses its courses and programmes, according to the consultant.
Strategic plan
HLSCC President Dr. Karl Dawson also spoke at the meeting.
“In our pursuit of education and training excellence that meets the needs of the BVI marketplace, I urge you to share in shaping the college over the next two years,” he told attendees.
During the past year, the college’s mission and vision statements were revised. Now, a strategic plan is being developed, according to the press release.
After earning the status of “Candidate for Accreditation” last June, the 18-month self-study process is the final step toward accreditation, the release stated.
The process includes HLSCC faculty, staff, administrators and students, as well as members of the board and representatives of the broader community.
A Steering Committee heads eight self-study committees charged with examining various aspects of the college.
For more information about the self-study process, contact accreditation liaison Dr. Christine Hodge at 852-7007.
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