Organizational and Board Development, Assessment and Accreditation Preparation
Initially engaged to assist in preparation of the College’s WASC Eligibility Application under the new streamlined procedures for currently accredited by another USDOE recognized accreditor, THE Group helped to develop processes and procedures of annual and continuous program review and a more formalized budgetary development process that utilizes the recommendations derived from both academic and support unit program reviews. Faculty, staff and board member training n WASC Standards of Accreditation and Criteria for Review (CFRs) and workshops, “What does WASC Expect of …(for each group)” were also conducted. A strengthened governance process was developed for academic policies and program Reviews was developed (Program Review and Development Committee and Budget Planning and Review Committee) were developed to continue the strengthened college processes. The Eligibility Application was collaboratively developed with College staff and reviewed for completeness of documentation and clarity by THE Group prior to submission.
National Security Studies Centers:
Program Planning and Development, Investor Identification
The National Security Studies Center project was an initiative to extend the nationally acclaimed graduate and undergraduate programs focused on national security offered by a strong regional university on a national scale through a model of Study Centers located in major metropolitan areas with large port, airport or military facilities, in which university based faculty and respected local experts would teach courses, combined with technologically mediated simulation laboratories and two-way video conferences as well as online offerings to expand the caliber and quantity of well prepared security professionals.
Proposals were prepared for the host university to review and a number of potential investors were identified to review the business plan. This project is in the proposal stage awaiting funding and regulatory approval.
Argosy University / Western State University: Merger and Accreditation
THE Group assisted Argosy University in the exploration with WASC officials of the possibility of merging the WASC accredited preparation Western State University College of Law with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredited nineteen campus Argosy University System. After considerable exploration with WASC staff and university and law school participants, a proposal to merge Western State University College of Law as a College of Argosy University; to add the eight campuses of the Art Institutes of California as a College of Art and Design to the Argosy University System was proposed to WASC and approved.
Schiller International University:
Organizational Development, Governance, Program Review and Strategic Planning
In concert with an earlier plan for a potential merger with the Western State University College of Law, THE Group was engaged to assist Schiller International University to develop its academic infrastructures and program assessment and review processes to prepare for potential regional accreditation. New processes of program planning and review were undertaken, a new strategic plan was developed, improvements in support for online programs, plans for a new campus location, and recruitment of key personnel were undertaken with THE Group support and assistance. Schiller University’s merger with another group that already housed a regionally accredited university allowed for the integration of these improvements into the new merged structure.