Accreditation Reaffirmation Community Update: Academic Review Process
2 min readYEREVAN, Armenia — On March 22, the American University of Armenia (AUA) organized a periodic campus-wide update on the status of the University’s reaffirmation of accreditation process, specifically focusing on AUA’s Academic Program Review process.
Dr. Aram Hajian, dean of the Akian College of Science and Engineering and member of the University’s Accreditation Task Force began the briefing by providing an overview of AUA’s accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), one of seven regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Hajian stated that accreditation is a measure of quality for current and prospective students, their parents, as well as current and prospective faculty, staff, and other constituents. The importance of continuous improvement of the quality of education and considerations on how well the University prepares students for life after graduation were also stressed.
Adelaida Baghdasaryan, LL.M. program chair and member of the Academic Program Review working group, presented the group’s efforts to date, questions posed, the process utilized to explore those questions, and the initial findings related to existing strengths and areas that need attention. Baghasaryan shared recommendations developed by the working group, including that draft revisions to the University’s Academic Program Review Guidelines were being developed for review and approval; and that recommendations were being developed for more effectively integrating academic program review with other university processes, such as budgeting and strategic planning.
Following Baghdasaryan’s presentation, Dr. Hajian opened the floor to questions and comments from participating community members. Several questions were raised pertaining to how the revised draft Academic Program Review guidelines would be adopted, and how the resulting data, evidence, and reports would be utilized. Dr. Hajian also talked about the importance of identifying opportunities to increase efficiencies throughout campus.
Dr. Hajian concluded the update by encouraging students, faculty, and staff to keep abreast of the reaffirmation of accreditation process and submit feedback using the online feedback form to be shared with the community after the event. He then reminded attendees of upcoming campus updates and other reaffirmation related events, including:
- April 17: Campus update – Review of Integrity of the Undergraduate Degree
- May 25: Campus update – Review of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- May: Annual Report submitted to WSCUC
- June: Draft self-study report shared with AUA community for input
- June: Final self-study report shared with AUA Board of Trustees
- Summer 2023: Self-study report submitted to WSCUC
- October 24-26, 2023 WSCUC site visit to AUA (October 23, visit to Dilijan campus — tentative)
- February 2024: WSCUC Commission action
Additional information about AUA’s accreditation can be found at https://aua.am/accreditation-affiliations.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
