Last fall, I attended an ACCJC peer reviewer recruitment/training along with several faculty members and a lecturer. Before I left my last school, my next big goal was to become a peer reviewer, so when the opportunity came up here, I jumped at the chance. Having served as Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) and worked with the staff and faculty there on our last accreditation document and visit, I knew that furthering my learning in this area would serve Hawai’iCC well. Working on accreditation is the best way to learn how your college works.
My experience was that accreditation visits could be really stressful as we defend our practices and show evidence for how we are achieving the standards. Imagine my surprise when ACCJC representatives shared with us the new, school-friendly, positive changes they have made in the way they approach accreditation. Their new philosophy is to celebrate and support the college. They are committed to taking the fear out of the process!
Instead of approaching the visit with a negative, compliance driven mindset, the peer reviewers come in with the intention of finding out how we have met the standard. In fact, the interviewing process at the school is considered part of the evidence, so if we left something out in our report or didn’t adequately explain how we are meeting the standard, we have a chance to add to it. Each peer reviewer team is intentionally staffed to best fit our college.
Shortly after this training, I filled out the form to show my interest in becoming an ACCJC peer reviewer. The process only works if we have a wide community of volunteer peer reviewers. It is excellent professional development and an opportunity to travel to another college and be part of this important work. Much sooner than I expected, I had a chance to be a part of a team - not as a peer reviewer but as team assistant under our own Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas.
Dr. Solemsaas had been asked to chair the team of peer reviewers who would visit Hawai'i Tokai International College in Kapolei, O'ahu, HI, adjacent to UH West O'ahu. What a great introduction to being part of an accreditation review team! I facilitated for the group in many ways, helped edit the final document, and learned so much about what it takes to be both a good peer reviewer and part of a healthy team.
HTIC is a wonderful, little college that has been located in Hawai'i since 1992, one of many campuses around the world, most of which are located in Japan. HTIC is part if the Tokai University Educational System, founded by Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae who believed in intellectual rigor, physical fitness, and intercultural understanding to encourage lifelong learning who would build world peace. It is a unique college with a distinctive mission. This photo shows the students welcoming our group with a hula in front of their library.
Becoming a peer reviewer for other colleges in the ACCJC family is excellent professional development and an opportunity to travel to another college and be part of this important work. You can show your interest by filling out this form. ACCJC assured us that it was not necessary to have attended training to fill out this form. Doing so just shows your interest in being contacted and learning more about the process. You would be invited to a training if chosen, after which you still get to decide whether the work is for you.
Think about it! My experience was fun and educational, and I'm looking forward to being a ACCJC peer reviewer soon.
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