ensuring quality and consistency at regional centers
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Ensuring Quality and Consistency at Regional Centers. Anita Fitzgerald Henck, PhD Dean, School of Education, Azusa Pacific University Christine Zeppos, PhD Dean, School of Education, Brandman University Gary Railsback, PhD Assessment Consultant, TaskStream - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Ensuring Quality and Consistency atRegional Centers
Anita Fitzgerald Henck, PhDDean, School of Education, Azusa Pacific University
Christine Zeppos, PhDDean, School of Education, Brandman University
Gary Railsback, PhDAssessment Consultant, TaskStream
Former Dean, School of Education, Point Loma Nazarene UniversityMark Goor, PhD
Dean, College of Education & Organizational Leadership, University of LaVerne
WASC ARC Conference – San Diego – April 2013
Guiding QuestionWith the proliferation of regional campuses across California, how do universities ensure the quality
of learning is consistently high across sites and that the programs are coherent?
Guiding Principles•Organizational structures vary
greatly between universities• Ideas shared today need to be
adapted to each institution’s culture
•We’re all still learning!
Four Institutions
Azusa Pacific University
•Based in Azusa, CA. 7 CA Regional Centers + Online•Directors of Regional Centers oversee facilities, on-
site support staff, recruiting; provide localized student services
•Deans provide programs, faculty, and student admissions. Most programs have on-site fulltime faculty assigned to centers, plus local adjuncts
•Deans and chairs develop faculty training modules, in addition to University orientation and training.
•Chairs and program directors oversee regular systems of collaboration and calibration
Brandman University•Formerly Chapman University College; Now Brandman
University, based in Irvine, CA since 2009•26 CA & WA campuses; 14 primary education campuses•Campus Director—business manager for all University
programs on that campus•Fulltime faculty and adjuncts assigned to each campus •Core faculty serve as curricular team chairs and course
developers•Twice yearly all-faculty meeting via Adobe Connect, with
adjunct and core faculty meeting face-to-face 3x per year
•LiveText provides weekly report of faculty engagement; adjuncts not rehired if not engaged
Point Loma Nazarene University
•Based in San Diego, CA. 4 CA Regional Centers•Associate Dean at each Regional Center. Each
has three roles -- oversight of a curricular area, individual associate dean assignment, and center director
•On-site fulltime faculty assigned to centers, plus local adjuncts
University of LaVerne
•Based in LaVerne, CA. 11 sites plus special contract sites
•Regional campus directors provide facilities, on-site support staff, recruiting; provide localized student services
•Dean and department chairs oversee academics and make admissions and hiring decisions
•Chairs ensure consistent course delivery and address student and faculty issues
Institutional Challenges &
Responses
Azusa Pacific University
Challenge•Silo-ed departmental practices and resultant adjunct autonomy vs. NCATE call for operating as a “Unit”
Response•Increased adjunct participation in All School Faculty Days to enhance larger vision
•Clarity of expectations within departments
•Enhanced mentoring of adjuncts
Brandman University
Challenge•Adjunct engagement with signature assignments, use of rubrics, etc.
Response•All relevant materials placed in LiveText•System provides regular reporting of faculty participation
•Adjuncts not rehired if not fully engaged
Point Loma Nazarene UniversityChallenge•Each center had developed autonomous systems, including software
Response•Migrated all data to a common portal•Developed cross-functional Associate Dean/Regional Center assignments that led to collaborative systems and processes
University of LaVerne
Challenge•“Dance” between academics and administration
Response•Continuous discussion between academic and regional campus deans
Best Practices for Regional Center
Programs
• Assigning fulltime faculty as lead faculty at regional centers
• Use of technology for departmental and school meetings
• Cross-functional administrative assignments – location plus curriculum/program duties
• Lead faculty responsible for common curriculum and syllabi
Questions?