At the recent meeting of the Education Committee, Chair Jennifer Yanez Pryor welcomed members into an engaging and forward-looking session. The committee began by reflecting on the evolving academic environment under new executive orders and reviewed previous minutes from the November 2024 Mid-Year Meeting, which were unanimously approved. A key highlight included updates on academic accreditation: no new programs are applying for Spring 2025, and only the University of Minnesota is scheduled for renewal in Fall 2025. Several institutions—such as the University of South Florida, South Dakota, and Upper Iowa—have shown interest in future accreditation, with preliminary conversations also happening with Texas State, Radford, Midland, and others. Updates to the Accreditation Workbook and Site Visitor Agenda have been finalized and shared with all program directors, aligning them with recent policy developments.
The committee also approved revisions to the NAB Accreditation Self-Assessment, making it a more accessible tool for both program directors and reviewers. This resource has since been posted to the NAB website. Discussions continued around the Education Task Force’s efforts to update the NAB Annual Report and improve tools for program participants, including potential modules and an interpretive guideline for site visitors. Additionally, the committee held a robust conversation about a proposed Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program, weighing its potential benefits and drawbacks. The idea remains under active consideration for future meetings. The session concluded with updates on HSE expansion efforts and a case review regarding internship situations, reinforcing the committee’s commitment to maintaining standards while addressing individual student needs.