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?

Contact Information

Anita Henck – ahenck@apu.eduChristine Zeppos –

zeppos@brandman.eduGary Railsback –

grailsback@taskstream.comMark Goor – mgoor@laverne.edu