Sept. 16, 2025 – Mission: Possible – Initial Details…
CALL TO ACTION
Additional mission details to follow…
Sept. 18, 2025 – Meet the Team
Sept. 23, 2025 – Meet the Team Lead
Dr. Michele Heston, aka The Beacon
Vice President for Academic Affairs Leading the charge with unwavering resolve, the leader spearheading the accreditation effort has become the institution’s own caped crusader, The Beacon. With a strategic mind sharper than Vibranium and a shield of integrity stronger than any force field, she rallies teams across campus. Whether deflecting last-minute compliance curveballs or leaping institutional hurdles in a single bound, this heroic leader inspires others to soar higher, ensuring the College emerges from the accreditation gauntlet stronger, brighter, and ready to save the day.
A little bit more about The Beacon:
- What’s your favorite cartoon character? Scooby-Doo
- If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go? Italy
- If you could instantly master any hobby or skill, what would it be? Singing
- What’s the funniest or most unusual nickname you’ve ever had? Monkey
- If you had to give a TED Talk on something not work-related, what would it be? Caring
Sept. 25, 2025 – Criterion 1: Info and Co-Chairs
Criterion 1: Mission
What it means: Criterion 1 is about making sure the College’s mission is clear, publicly shared, and actively shapes everything we do. Our mission should not just be words on a page—it should guide decisions about programs, student services, budgeting, community involvement, and diversity efforts.
Why it matters: Accreditors want to see that our college knows why it exists, that our programs and services align with this purpose, and that we serve the public good. They’ll look for proof that our mission influences both everyday actions and long-term planning.
Examples of Evidence You Might Have Mission Alignment (1.A):
- Syllabi or program descriptions showing how courses connect to the mission
- Orientation materials for students, employees, or board members that highlight the mission
- Recruitment materials that reference our mission or values
- Budget requests or planning documents that demonstrate alignment with the mission.
Mission and Public Good (1.B):
- Records of community partnerships, service-learning projects, or workforce development initiatives
- Evidence of advisory boards, clinical sites, or training programs that serve local needs
- Flyers or programs from cultural events, public lectures, or performances open to the community
- Documentation of campus facilities used by community groups.
Mission and Diversity of Society (1.C):
- Course-based activities that promote civic engagement or global awareness (e.g., capstones, service projects, study abroad)
- Records of student clubs, athletic team service projects, or volunteer initiatives
Co-Chairs
Dr. Melissa Kuehnle, aka Captain Connection
Director, Institutional Communications
Learn a little more about Captain Connection:
What silly talent do you secretly have? I can juggle balls and rings, and I can do the spinning plate.
Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever been? The Hana Lava Tube in Maui. It was a cave that looked like melted chocolate was dripping down the walls.
If your life had a theme song, what would it be? “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
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Asena Mott, aka The Guardian of Learning
Dean, Off-Campus Instructional Sites
Learn a little more about The Guardian of Learning:
What’s your favorite board game or card game? Skip-bo (part luck, part strategy, works for older and younger people, as well as small or larger groups)
If you could instantly master any hobby or skill, what would it be? Playing the piano masterfully. I play, but it’s definitely not at the master level. That takes a lot of time, and I’m not prioritizing practice. It would be nice to just sit down and be perfect.
Sept. 30, 2025 – Criterion 2: Info and Co-Chairs
Criterion 2: Integrity – Ethical and Responsible Conduct
What it means: Criterion 2 is about showing that the College conducts itself with honesty, fairness, and responsibility. This includes following policies, protecting academic freedom, being transparent with students and the public, and making sure our governing board, faculty, and staff act ethically.
Why it matters: Accreditors want to know that our institution is trustworthy. They’ll look for evidence that we live up to our policies, treat people fairly, present accurate information, and foster an environment where ideas can be shared freely and responsibly.
Examples of Evidence You Might Have Integrity in Actions (2.A):
- Internal or external audit reports
- Meeting minutes from Faculty Council, budget committees, or other decision-making groups
- Hiring policies and search committee procedures
- Training records on ethics, campus safety, or harassment prevention
- Faculty/staff/student grievance policies and examples of how they’re applied
Transparency with Students and the Public (2.B):
- An updated and accurate website
- Academic catalogs that clearly list program requirements
- Published tuition/fees and use of the net price calculator
- Recruitment/admissions documents that show entry requirements
- Public lists of accreditations or program approvals
Board Governance (2.C):
- Board manuals or conflict-of-interest policies
- Agendas and minutes from Board meetings
- Documentation of Board training and orientation
- Policies showing how the Board selects/evaluates the president
Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression (2.D):
- Policies on academic freedom or freedom of speech
- Training or orientations where these rights are explained
Responsible Acquisition of Knowledge (2.E):
- Academic integrity and plagiarism policies
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols or training documents
- Research symposium programs, faculty/student publications, or creative works
- Student conduct and honor code policies
Co-Chairs
Dr. Mark Bukowski, aka The Advocate
Vice President for Student Services
Learn a little more about The Advocate:
If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go? Back to a time before cellphones were the norm, just to experience it again (probably some point in the ’90s)
What was your childhood dream job? Racecar Driver What show could you binge watch forever? Have to pick two: The Andy Griffith Show and Seinfeld ««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
Dr. Marcy Everest, aka Civica
Professor of Political Science
Learn a little more about Civica:
My Theme Song (well, favorite song anyway): George Michael and Aretha Franklin, “I Knew You Were Waiting”
Childhood dream job: As a child of the 1960s, I wanted to be an Astronaut (Apollo Program + Star Trek). Still do…
My Spirit Animal is definitely a horse…independent, freedom-loving, resistant to authority, pure joy, and magical.
Oct. 2, 2025 – Criterion 3: Info and Co-Chairs
Criterion 3: Teaching and Learning for Student Success
What it means: Criterion 3 is about demonstrating that our college provides high-quality educational programs, learning environments, and support services that truly help students succeed. It covers the rigor of our academic programs, how we engage students in inquiry and creative work, whether we have enough qualified faculty and staff, and how we use assessment and program review to continuously improve.
Why it matters: Accreditors want to see that we take responsibility for student learning and success. They’ll look for evidence that our programs are consistent and rigorous, our faculty and staff are qualified and supported, our resources meet student needs, and that we actively use data from assessment and program review to strengthen teaching and learning.
Examples of Evidence You Might Have Educational Programs (3.A):
- Catalogs and websites listing program-level learning outcomes
- Syllabi showing course learning goals and alignment with outcomes
- Curriculum committee or faculty council meeting minutes
- Program admission requirements and alignment with licensure or credentialing standards
Intellectual Inquiry and Creative Work (3.B):
- Syllabi with assignments that require research, analysis, or creative work
- Assessment data on inquiry or critical thinking skills
- Records of student exhibitions, presentations, or research projects
- Documentation of internships, practica, or service-learning placements
Sufficiency of Faculty and Staff (3.C):
- Faculty qualification policies and credentialing records
- Student-to-faculty and student-to-staff ratios
- Evidence of professional development opportunities
- Hiring guidelines for full-time, adjunct, or dual-enrollment faculty
Support for Student Learning and Resources (3.D):
- Student handbook, advising guides, or academic support center usage data
- Documentation of tutoring, writing, and math support effectiveness
- Information about labs, clinical sites, and exhibition spaces
- Data on student support services like counseling, financial aid, disability services, or veteran support
Assessment of Student Learning (3.E):
- Curriculum maps, rubrics, and assessment plans
- Meeting minutes where departments reviewed assessment data and made improvements
- Reports on general education assessment or program-level outcomes
- Evidence of cocurricular assessment and related improvements
Program Review (3.F):
- Program review policies, schedules, and sample reports
- Advisory board agendas or minutes
- Documentation of transfer policies, dual enrollment, or articulation agreements
Student Success Outcomes (3.G):
- Retention, persistence, completion, and graduation data (with peer benchmarking)
- Licensure or certification exam pass rates
- Alumni survey results, job placement, or continuing education data
- Graduate earnings and loan repayment data
- Participation in initiatives focused on retention and completion
Co-Chairs 
Carleigh Okwali, aka The Catalyst Director, Center for Innovative Teaching
Learn a little more about The Catalyst:
What show could you binge watch forever? Gilmore Girls
If you could invent a new holiday, what would it celebrate? Couch Potato Day!
What’s your favorite board game or card game? Hand and Foot Canasta ««««««««««««««««««««
Dr. Mary vonMerveldt, aka The Remedy
Director, Nursing Education
Learn a little more about The Remedy:
What’s the funniest or most unusual nickname you’ve ever had? Back in high school, I joined a Pre-Med Explorer group and got to attend a national conference; think summer camp meets medical boot camp. Explorers are a co-ed branch of the Boy Scouts of America that focuses on career exploration and personal development. Basically, it was like scouting, but with scalpels. We competed in all kinds of hands-on events: suturing pigs’ feet (yes, really), identifying medical instruments, and doing physical assessments. It was intense, educational, and surprisingly fun. When we arrived, they handed out name tags and embroidered backpacks. It was top-tier swag for a bunch of aspiring med students. But here’s where things took a turn…all my gear was labeled “NART.” Not “Mary”— “NART”. Apparently, someone’s fingers took a little detour on the keyboard. “M” is next to “N,” “Y” is next to “T”—and voilà, I was rebranded. And of course, the nickname stuck. So, while others were refining their suturing skills, I was learning to live with being called “NART.”
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Mlisa Manning, aka Prism
Professor, Sociology; Coordinator, Student Development Courses; Advisor, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)
Learn a little more about Prism:
What’s your favorite cartoon character? Marc Antony and Pussy Foot
If your life had a theme song, what would it be? The Sandford and Son theme song
What’s your guilty pleasure TV show? Shameless
Oct. 7, 2025 – Criterion 4: Info and Co-Chairs
Criterion 4: Sustainability – Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning
What it means: Criterion 4 is about making sure the College has the resources, structures, and planning processes needed to fulfill its mission now and into the future. It looks at whether we are organized effectively, have the financial and personnel resources to sustain operations, and engage in strategic planning for continuous improvement.
Why it matters: Accreditors want to know that our institution is stable, forward-looking, and capable of responding to challenges and opportunities. They will look for evidence that we make decisions collaboratively, manage resources responsibly, and use planning and data to continuously improve programs and services.
Examples of Evidence You Might Have Effective Administrative Structures (4.A):
- Lists of committees such as Faculty Council, assessment committee, or budget committee and descriptions of their roles
- Constituent group meeting minutes showing shared governance or collaborative planning
- Organizational charts
- Examples of decisions or changes made based on review of data
- Evidence of partnerships with local organizations or community entities
Resource Base and Sustainability (4.B):
- Audited financial statements and financial ratios over several years
- Campus master plan and documentation of facilities and technology investments
- Strategic plan investments and budget allocation documents
- Enrollment plans and projections
- Fundraising reports or foundation activities
- Professional development funding for faculty and staff
- Collective bargaining agreements (if applicable).
Planning for Quality Improvement (4.C):
- Strategic plan documents, creation process, and annual updates
- Budget requests and allocation processes tied to planning priorities
- Enrollment management plans and environmental scans
- Evidence of using external data (state demographics, labor market analyses) for planning
- Institutional effectiveness reports, KPIs, and dashboards
- Data on persistence, retention, and completion, disaggregated by student demographics
- Documentation of student advising policies, student satisfaction surveys, and resulting improvements
- Records of initiatives taken based on review of data (e.g., reducing DFW rates, supporting probation/suspension recovery, strengthening student success centers)
Co-Chairs Dr. Peggy Sueppel, aka The Evaluator 
Coordinator, Assessment and Accreditation
Learn a little more about The Evaluator:
What’s the funniest or most unusual nickname you’ve ever had? My elementary school P.E. teacher called me PegLeg. That probably says a lot about my athletic abilities.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? I would like to be able to talk to animals. Well, I already talk to them. I would just like to know what they are thinking.
Which emoji do you use the most? The laughing emoji, because I crack myself up! ««««««««««««««««««««««««
Michelle Leidel, aka Tech Titan
Dean of Applied Sciences and Technologies
Learn a little more about Tech Titan:
If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go? Governor’s Beach on the Cayman Islands with my family
What show or movie could you binge watch forever? Pirates of the Caribbean
If you could instantly master any hobby or skill, what would it be? Singing
