Accreditation: Higher Education’s Michelin Star
You might not readily jump to this comparison, but a restaurant deciding to pursue a Michelin Star is, in many ways, similar to an institution deciding to pursue accreditation. Both are voluntary yet rigorous processes that organizations can undergo to set themselves apart. Neither process is about a single moment of brilliance; instead, they both require a comprehensive, ongoing commitment to quality and improvement. In both cases, the entire team—from chefs to educators, from service staff to administrators—must work cohesively to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by their industry and their evaluators.
The Art of Higher Education Compliance: Cultivating Buy-In
Whether you’re working on higher education accreditation, a new telecom software, or a popstar’s memoir; empathy, communication, and clarity are critical to getting your team’s support. It still may not be easy, but it’s absolutely worth the work. Because getting your team to support your compliance efforts not only allows you to achieve your goal, it creates a culture of openness, continuous improvement, and collective success.
5 Secrets for a Smooth Accreditation Site Visit
Preparing for an accreditation site visit? It's not just about the paperwork! Impress your evaluators with attention to detail: clean, organized spaces, in-person presence of key staff, thoughtfully arranged meeting areas, and quality refreshments. These seemingly small touches can significantly impact the overall experience, showcasing your institution's commitment to excellence and attention to detail.
Accreditation Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Remember, accreditation is here to make you better, not to give you nightmares. Plan, persevere, and maybe throw in a horror movie marathon to remind yourself that, even when a case of the accreditation scaries sets in, there still aren’t any clowns around—things could always be worse.
State Licensure for Higher Education – What Does My School Need to Do?
For many just starting out in higher education (and, honestly, for many who have been here for a while), navigating the intricate web of state licensure can feel difficult. It can be kind of like doing a jigsaw puzzle with a toddler, some pieces seem to “hide from you” just when you need them most. But don't worry – our state licensure expert, Andy, knows where the pieces are hidden. Below, he has answered some of the most common questions we get about higher education state licensure.
From Appetizers to Accreditors: Serving Up Quality
Higher education institutions that see accreditation as an obstacle to innovation or as a necessary means to an end tend to experience more (and, often, avoidable) challenges. Conversely, institutions that embrace the accreditation process as a chance to better serve their students tend to thrive.