1. Evaluator 101: An Introduction to Serving as a MSCHE Evaluator Dr. Luis G. Pedraja MSCHE Vice President

2. Why are evaluators important? Accreditation is a voluntary process and relies on volunteers Peer review process is vital to quality assurance Need for experts in different areas & disciplines Diversity of institutions requires a diversity of evaluators

3. What is it like? INTENSETEAMWORKCHALLENGINGCOLLEGIAL

4. Different types of evaluators Team Visits –Decennial visit teams –Special follow-up small team visit –Generalist evaluators Periodic Review Report readers –Typically Provosts, Deans, etc. Substantive Change Committee readers Commissioners

5. Who can serve as an evaluator? PresidentsProvosts/Deans Senior Administrators Finance Directors/Senior Staff Enrollment / Student Services Directors Institutional Researchers/I.T. Outcomes Assessment Experts Faculty Members Library Directors

6. How are decennial teams put together? Teams consist of 6-8 persons on average A team chair is selected by staff & approved by institution (1 year in advance) Dates for the team visit are agreed upon Evaluators are selected and invited to the team for those dates Replacements are selected for those unable to go on the designated dates

7. How are decennial teams put together? (Cont.) Institutional Profile & Mission Most from peer or aspirational institutions Same level (2-year, 4-year, etc.) Same type of control (Public, Non-Profit, etc) Usually from a different states to avoid conflict Typically no more than one from a given institution on the same team

8. What is the team composition? Chair (President, Provost, Dean) Finance evaluator Academic evaluator (CAO; Dean; etc) Outcomes Assessment Student Services/Enrollment (as needed) Library Services (as needed) Faculty (Humanities/Sciences/ Special Area) Planning/I.R./ I.T. (as needed) Experience/Gender/Racial Balance

9. What are the evaluators responsibilities? Be familiar with MSCHE publications: –Characteristics of Excellence –Team Visits: Conducting and Hosting –Policies –Other documents provided Read the institutions self-study or report in advance Note strengths and weaknesses Participate in team meetings/communications Examine evidence provided Conduct campus interviews Submit report in assigned area Help the team reach a decision on accreditation

10. Whats the role of an evaluators? Be prepared –Know Middle States standards –Analyze the Self-Study –Understand the Institutional Mission & Goals Remember the peer in peer review Cooperate and be collegial Root comments in Middle States standards. DONT –Compare this institution to yours –Make prescriptive pronouncements

11. What does the report look like? Standard (s) Covered Narrative of Findings CommendationsSuggestions Recommendations (need some follow-up) Requirements (non-compliance) Other Information –People interviewed –Documents reviewed About 1-2 pages per Evaluator

12. What do you get as an evaluator? Modest honorarium –we are volunteers! Travel expenses Experience Knowledge about other institutions Ideas to take to your institution Meet and get to know peers and colleagues Preserve the integrity & quality of higher education Realize that you are not alone

13. What does an institution get? Validation from peers Collegial advice from experts An outside perspective New ideas for self-improvement Meet new and different colleagues Guidance A sense that they are not alone

14. How do I become an evaluator? President, Provost, Dean, etc. nominates you Another evaluator or MSCHE staff member nominates you Submit evaluator data form to MSCHE Be an expert in what you do Be patient & available to serve Be flexible and collegial Participate in training and events

15. How do I contact MSCHE? Website information & contact numbers at www.msche.org www.msche.org By email: info@msche.org info@msche.org By phone: 267-284-5000