Campuswide Accreditation Update: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

3 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — On May 25, the American University of Armenia (AUA) held the fourth campuswide update on the status of the reaffirmation of the accreditation process. The presentation and discussion focused specifically on the component of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). 

Accreditation Liaison Officer and Dean of General Education Dr. Sharistan Melkonian began the briefing with an overview of the accreditation process. She reviewed the two main themes that AUA chose to explore: the integrity of the undergraduate degree and the academic program review at AUA. Dean Melkonian further noted that two other areas were being addressed: AUA’s adherence to the standards of accreditation and DEI. 

Assistant Vice President Anahit Ordyan, who chairs the working group responsible for looking into the DEI component, made the presentation. She covered aspects of the methodology used in exploring DEI on campus, including reviewing existing data and information; conducting focus groups and surveys; and inventorying support services, equipment, and other campus assets from a DEI perspective.

Dean of the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics, Dr. Vache Gabrielyan, who also serves on the DEI working group, presented the draft definitions the working group had developed for the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Subsequently, adjunct lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Laura Prokic, also a working group member, briefed about the overall findings of the DEI working group and its recommendations for specific improvements under this component. 

Some examples of the strengths that the working group has identified include physical accessibility, strong support from student services, and the existence of a diverse and welcoming environment at the University. The areas recommended for further attention included improving internal communication, especially in matters related to the decision-making process; perceptions of fairness and equity of workload and remuneration; and policy implementation.

Prokic also shared recommended action items that placed priority on enhancing data collection and tracking demographics consistently. The responsibility to coordinate DEI-related activities was another action priority, along with enhancing training, providing input and feedback into decision-making processes, and conducting pay equity analysis. The physical accessibility of campus facilities was also identified as an area that should be frequently appraised. Other action priorities included: looking at the diversity of AUA’s boards of trustees; assessing DEI in the education processes; reviewing relevant University policies; and celebrating campus diversity.

There was a suggestion from the floor to include in the DEI report other AUA strengths, such as the University’s comprehensive financial aid program.

Another comment was that although the main campus is mostly accessible, AUA’s Dilijan location is not fully accessible for people with disabilities. 

In closing, Dean Melkonian explained that the full report with findings would be part of the AUA self-study for reaffirmation of accreditation, as well as serve as a resource and roadmap for continuous improvement. She also reminded participants of the opportunity for engagement in the reaffirmation of the accreditation process by providing feedback through the open online forum.

Upcoming actions and dates in the accreditation process are: 

• May 31, 2023: Draft findings and recommendations shared with the Accreditation Steering Committee for feedback
• June 2023: Draft findings and recommendations shared with the AUA Board of Trustees
• August 2023: Self-study report submitted to WSCUC
• October 24-26, 2023: WSCUC site visit to AUA (October 20 visit to Dilijan location)
• 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.