Self-Assessment as a Way of Life

Every 10 years, institutions of higher education undergo a rigorous process of reaccreditation. It is a lengthy process that includes a comprehensive– and candid – self-study to assess how well we measure up against 14 accreditation standards – from mission and governance to institutional integrity and finance. This self-assessment process identifies weaknesses and strengths, with the goal of making the College a better place for teaching and learning. Our 250-page selfstudy was then followed by a three-day visit from a team of faculty and administrators from peer institutions looking at all aspects of how we operate.

As you will read below, our “grade” was good, in fact I’d say it was a high pass. We received commendations, suggestions and a few recommendations for improvement. After three years of intense work that involved dozens of faculty, administrators, staff and students from across the College, we breathed a collective sigh of relief. Just like after a final exam, we all wanted to finally relax and get back to “normal.”

But today, there is a new definition of “normal.” As you probably know, we are living in a period of criticism and heightened scrutiny of higher education, with increasing calls for accountability. Normal at Albright has been, and will continue to be, a continuous process of improvement. Critical thinking is a way of life for us.

One of the first things I did as president was to create a team to make the opening of school as effective and customer-focused as it could be. That “Opening Day Task Force” has transmogrified into the Albright Continuous Improvement Team, charged to look at all the ways we can work more effectively and improve processes and services. We are not content. We know we can always be a better institution.

Not only Middle States, but also our strategic planning is an opportunity for rigorous self-examination. We’ll use the suggestions and recommendations from the reaccreditation process to inform our strategic thinking, which has four focal points: fostering academic excellence; strengthening our residential learning community; enhancing community relations, which includes both alumni and the greater Reading community; and achieving financial stability.

These strategic areas are interlocking. To maintain academic excellence, we must obtain the resources to assure student success and continually improve our support of our students’ learning needs. The experience of learning is not limited to the classroom, so our goal to enhance the residential learning experience, (for example, by requiring sophomores to live on campus as of next fall), directly impacts academics and facilities. Financial stability depends, to a great extent, on alumni support and ownership.

As we address all of these components guided by our own best thinking and the Middle States report, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for Albright College. We are creating momentum, and there is a palpable sense of energy, of possibilities unfolding, on campus. I look forward to having much good news to share in the coming months.

Lex O. McMillan III, Ph.D.
President