Building a Learning Community to Assure Quality through the Accreditation Process: Collaboration between Community Colleges, Public and Private Higher Education Institutions Dr. Marlene Rosenbaum, Fairleigh Dickinson University Dr. Heather Pfleger, Gwynedd Mercy College

Session Learning Outcomes Session Learning Outcomes Appreciate value of meeting with colleagues Gain specific strategies to assist you in forming a consortium Learn how to conduct successful meetings Create a “learning community” expanding your knowledge of LOA Provide opportunities for research and grants

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK What is the thinking behind establishing a consortium? Why is it worth doing?

How idea evolved:  Experiences with the N. J. TEAC Consortium  The Middle States Conference—the Washington group’s experience  The NY/NJ Consortium meeting—we learned that geography played a role.

Why we thought consortium was a good idea:  Overcome isolation when working on LOA  Facilitate sharing of effective strategies & assist with solving common problems  Learn from each other.

ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK Who, what, when, where?

Getting started Initial meeting— set agenda, keep room to allow for member discussion Focus on constructive issues: how often to meet, where to meet, length of meetings, who will facilitate Important: do not make this overwhelming time commitment

Who are members? Assessment personnel, institutional research personnel, & staff representing information technology Both faculty and staff

Membership continued Colleges, universities, and community colleges Private and public institutions Membership is fluid

How to move forward? Membership decides meeting topics, dates & times & agendas Members take responsibility for different roles within the Consortium Keep formal minutes

Rotate meeting location, once pattern established. Logistics—who pays for meeting space, food? Our model—the host school pays.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION Several expectations are realized

What we discovered out about our Consortium: Meeting with colleagues facing similar issues and concerns – very valuable!!! Sense of isolation diminished Learn useful strategies from other colleges and universities re: LOA

Get good ideas to avoid pitfalls Able to focus on specific topics— data management systems, general education assessment where there is a felt need.

Future Potential Benefits Use information and data generated for research projects. Explore the possibilities of using qualitative research to inform decisions made on assessment practices. Share with new faculty the possibilities for research re: LOA. Work with colleagues in the collaborative on grants that support LOA.

Technology: an important tool Directory with addresses. Began with Google; switched to Sakai. Postings regarding conferences, articles, etc. Blog set up for member discussions. Minutes uploaded for reference.

Screen shot of minutes in Sakai

The consortium provides support with Middle States Requirements The PRR—specific recommendations from members. Sharing of strategies to address Self-Study preparations Gaining insight into Middle States evaluators’ perspectives. Discussion of current MSCHE policies

UNEXPECTED BENEFITS What we did not anticipate gaining

Evolution into a Learning Community Opportunity to keep current re: Middle States policies Expanding efforts to professional organizations Enriching each other as a result of diverse institutions collaborating

REPLICATING THE CONSORTIUM Our suggestions

Recommendations Recommendations Keep things simple & manageable Spread the workload Be flexible & value membership input Encourage members to take ownership Make good use of their time Feed them, and they will come

Discussion and Q & A

We are happy to take your questions

For more information: Dr. Marlene Rosenbaum Dr. Heather Lee Pfleger