University Accreditation and Accountability Committee (UAAC)
Serve the university by providing guidance, leadership and support to institutional accreditation and effectiveness. The committee works to fulfill this purpose by:
- Developing timelines and procedures for accreditation processes within the guidelines of the institutional accreditor (Higher Learning Commission).
- Informing, engaging, and involving the university faculty, staff, administration, and students in on-going dialogue concerning university accreditation activities and progress.
- Facilitating university community education concerning accreditation criteria, federal compliance, policies, and procedures.
- Ensuring that accreditation is an on-going process by working to prepare the assurance argument, routine progress reports and any required special monitoring reports.
- Reviewing and monitoring the collection of institutional evidence, progress on Quality Initiative projects and any accreditation recommendations.
- Working with and holding the university community accountable to ensure that accreditation activities result in integrated, meaningful, and sustained university improvement.
The Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness will chair the committee. The chair will be responsible for scheduling meetings, preparing, and distributing meeting materials and other responsibilities requested by the committee. The Chair shall submit an annual written summary report of the Committee’s work to the President and Provost. Presentations will be given to relevant groups upon request and as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the committee.
The committee will convene at the call of the chair at the start of each academic year. The committee will meet at a minimum of once each semester, but often enough to fulfill the responsibilities of the committee.
Committee Members: 2023-2024 Academic Year
| Name | Role |
| Susan Perry (chair) | Associate Provost, Institutional Effectiveness |
| Bill Ayres | Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, Trumbull (HLC Peer Reviewer) |
| Lori Burchard | Director, Sponsored Programs |
| Nicole DeCaprio | Associate General Counsel |
| Shannon Helfinstine | Associate Director, Assessment |
| Elizabeth Henry | Director of Marketing Strategy & Research |
| Mary Hricko | Faculty, Geauga Campus and Twinsburg Academic Center (HLC Peer Reviewer) |
| John Jewell | Assistant Dean, Academic Student Support Services, University College |
| Jessica Marzullo | Coordinator, Operations and Special Projects, AAL |
| Martha Merrill | Faculty, EHHS (HLC Peer Reviewer) |
| Jennifer McDonough | Senior Associate Vice President, Strategy Management |
| Joe Richardson | Manager of Communications and Marketing, EHHS |
| Valerie Samuel | Associate Director, Assessment and Accreditation, Student Affairs |
| Hollie Simpson | Associate Director, Accreditation |
| Audrey Lemmons | Project Director, Regional Campuses |
| Linnea Stafford | Director, Institutional Research |
| Therese Tillett | Associate Vice President of Curriculum Planning and Administration |
AY 2023-2024
| Subcommittee: Quality Initiative Report |
| Description: Compile data and evidence to report on the outcomes of the Quality Initiative |
| Members |
| Susan Perry, Associate Provost, Institutional Effectiveness |
| Brenda Burke, Associate Vice President, Scholarships and Financial Aid |
| Jen McDonough, Senior Associate Vice President, Strategy Management |
| Charity Miller, Assistant Dean, Retention and Advising |
| Therese Tillett, Associate Vice President of Curriculum Planning and Administration |
| Subcommittee:Multi-campus Report |
| Description: Identify evidence needed, contribute to the drafting and/or editing of relevant sections of the assurance argument and multi-campus report, assist in planning and scheduling campus visits |
| Members |
| Bill Ayers, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, Trumbull |
| Susan Emens, Associate Dean, College of Applied and Technical Studies |
| Shannon Helfinstine, Associate Director, Assessment |
| Tiffany Kiphart, Academic Program Director |
| Audrey Lemmons, Project Director, Regional Campuses |
| Steve Minnick, Academic Vice Dean |
| Sue Rossi, Assistant Dean |
| Kathy Spicer, Director II, Regional Campus Operations |
| Subcommittee: Federal Compliance Filing |
| Description: Review processes, identify evidence and follow-up as needed |
| Members |
| Hollie Simpson, Associate Director, Accreditation |
| Nichole Dicaprio, Associate General Counsel |
| Lori Burchard, Director, Sponsored Programs |
| Linnea Stafford, Director, Institutional Research |
| Therese Tillett, Associate Vice President of Curriculum Planning and Administration |
| Chris Dorsten, University Registrar |
| Brenda Burke, , Associate Vice President, Scholarships and Financial Aid |
| Amy Quillin, Student Ombuds |
| Cathy Walsh, Associate Director, Business Operations and Compliance |
| Subcommittee: Communication and Education |
| Description: Ramp up communication, order swag, continued updates to the website, assist in planning for guest speakers to come to campus |
| Members |
| Hollie Simpson, Associate Director, Accreditation |
| John Jewell, Assistant Dean, Academic Student Support Services, University College |
| Liz Henry, Director of Marketing Strategy & Research |
| Valerie Samuel, Associate Director, Assessment and Accreditation, Student Affairs |
| Joe Richardson, Manager of Communications and Marketing, EHHS |
| Jessica Marzullo, Coordinator, Operations and Special Projects, AAL |