Stop by Registration to receive your PDC name badge and program. All PDC activities require a name badge to be worn.

Elizabeth K. Herron, PEAC Student Loan Assistance / Collegiate Admission and Retention Solutions
John Pierson, Default Prevention Specialist

The advent of the Higher Education Opportunity Act brought forth significant changes to the calculation of cohort default rates beginning with borrowers who enter repayment in the 2009 federal fiscal year. With the inclusion of an additional year’s worth of time for loans to default, preliminary data is showing that this change will result in higher cohort default rates. Higher cohort default rates and their accompanying regulatory sanctions can adversely impact a school’s financial stability and, consequently, its educational effectiveness and accredited status. As part of our efforts to support the ACCSC membership, the Commission is pleased to announce the launch of a new loan management and default prevention workshop, “An Institutional Approach to Drive Down Default Rates and Improve Overall Effectiveness.”

This workshop will be presented by Elizabeth Keifer-Herron, Executive Vice President of PEAC Student Loan Assistance and Collegiate Admissions and Retention Solutions. Elizabeth, who has extensive experience in this field having worked in the loan management and institutional compliance area for more than twenty years, will lead this thought-provoking workshop. In addition to helping ACCSC-accredited institutions develop the core components of a “Department of Education Default Reduction Plan” and the key priorities for its corresponding task force, the workshop will address topics such as: economic and industry climate, default rate calculations, the relationship between defaults/gainful employment and retention, strategies for managing data in a multi-servicer environment and default rate challenges and appeals. A condensed version of this workshop will be offered as an educational break-out session during the PDC.

Dr. Julie Basler, Platt College - Aurora
Dr. Juanita Gurubatham, Director of Institutional Review and Development, ACCSC

During this interactive workshop, participants from degree-granting and non-degree granting schools alike will learn how to successfully, and comprehensively develop a new program and how to garner greater involvement from school constituents (PAC members, employers, students, graduates, faculty, and staff) in the curriculum design process. This workshop will also provide a comprehensive overview of the expectations outlined in Standards of Accreditation in regards to curriculum, the forms required for program approvals by ACCSC, the expectations that institutions should have about the program approval process, and will include a discussion on the best-practices employed by ACCSC-accredited institutions in creating a robust curriculum that is meaningful, compliant, and relevant to credit hours.

Stop by Registration to receive your PDC name badge and program. All PDC activities require a name badge to be worn.

Elizabeth K. Herron, PEAC Student Loan Assistance / Collegiate Admission and Retention Solutions
John Pierson, Default Prevention Specialist     

The advent of the Higher Education Opportunity Act brought forth significant changes to the calculation of cohort default rates beginning with borrowers who enter repayment in the 2009 federal fiscal year. With the inclusion of an additional year’s worth of time for loans to default, preliminary data is showing that this change will result in higher cohort default rates which can adversely impact a school’s financial stability and consequently, its educational effectiveness and accredited status. During this session, which serves as a condensed version of the full-day pre-PDC workshop hosted on September 10th, participants will learn how to develop the core components of a “Department of Education Default Reduction Plan” and the key priorities for its corresponding task force. The session will also address: economic and industry climate, default rate calculations, the relationship between defaults/gainful employment and retention, strategies for managing data in a multi-servicer environment and default rate challenges and appeals.

Cebra Graves
Corinthian Colleges, Inc.

This thought-provoking session is designed for school administrators who are looking for context in understanding what is driving the emergence of new types of school models across the higher education landscape. During this session, participants will learn about the theory of innovation and explore not only how career colleges have been at the forefront of driving innovation in higher education, but also how new models in higher education are building on more recent innovations. This session is intended to provoke discussion about how career college fit into the larger landscape of institutions of higher education and highlight recent developments that can pose both opportunities and challenges for career school administrators.

Yasith Weerasuriya
Stanbridge College

Designed for both beginning and experienced educational administrators, this session provides an opportunity for participants to learn how to institutionalize a culture of service on their campus and reap the benefits of not only a fully-engaged community, but with the increased retention of students who have made a deeper connection with the institution through community service initiatives. Participants will learn how to develop and implement a sustainable service learning program, how to elevate existing service learning initiatives to the next level by integrating core elements into established curriculum, and how to successfully deploy the latest social media tools to reach more of your student body.

John W. Andrews, Greg L. Waite, Sumi Shrishrimal, and Sara Bartholomew
Corinthian Colleges, Inc.

Preparing individual campuses within a multi-school system for success in the accreditaiton process can present both challenges and opportunities for administrators. This session, which features a diverse panel of institutional leaders from a singular system of schools, will explore ways in which a centralized approach can effectively support local campuses in creating an everyday sense of compliance. This session will also emphasize how a robust internal audit process, coupled with assistance from a community of field-support and strong campus leadership, can help turn any accreditation endeavor or compliance initiative into an everyday activity.

Join the Commission to celebrate the contributions by several outstanding individuals and the significant achievements of ACCSC-accredited institutions.

Michale S. McComis, Executive Director, ACCSC
Juanita Gurubatham, Director of Institutional Development, ACCSC

In October 2010, the U.S. Department of Education (“the Department”) issued new regulations pertaining to, among other things, the definition of a credit hour. Given the variety of learning environments and experiences in vocational and career-oriented education typically found in ACCSC-accredited institutions, the Commission has developed a definition of a credit hour that reasonably approximates the federal definition and provides flexibility in program design and delivery as a means to afford students the best opportunity to achieve programmatic learning objectives. During this session, which will be repeated during the PDC, ACCSC staff will provide an overview of ACCSC’s Definition of a Credit Hour, the potential impact on degree and non-degree programs, the newly established forms related to the credit hour approval process, and the expectations ACCSC-accredited schools should have regarding changes to the on-site evaluation process.

Note: This session will be offered twice during the PDC

Thomas Bryant
Kaplan Higher Education

During this interactive session, one of ACCSC’s most experienced on-site peer evaluators will provide participants with an overview of best practices deployed by ACCSC-accredited institutions as they prepared for a visit from an onsite evaluation team. During this session, participants will learn from various case studies and engage in simulated visit scenarios that emphasize how to successfully: present materials to the onsite evaluation team in a concise manner, conduct an initial tour, respond to team requests for information, and prepare other school administrators and faculty members to respond to questions from the team. Participants at this session should come ready to share their onsite evaluation success stories and proven visit preparation strategies.

Rebecca Buller
The Institute of Production & Recording

ACCSC-accredited institutions serve their respective communities in diverse ways and for a variety of reasons. As educators, we are uniquely positioned to nurture future citizens and forge partnerships that have real benefits to not only our students, but the communities we serve. This interactive session will highlight service learning as a means to connect and enhance the importance of community and education, and will provide a pathway to take these initiatives to the next level. Participants will engage in a brainstorming session designed to help educational leaders to think critically about how service learning can enhance the student educational experience, instill a sense of purpose for administrators and faculty, bolster the success of the school, as well as to generate ideas for immediate implementation.

Art Waller
Independence University

In today’s higher education environment a greater emphasis is being place on institutions to strengthen their relationships with students in order to increase the opportunity for those students to be successful in school and when transitioning into the workforce. Understanding student needs and developing a comprehensive student service program to address those needs are areas of focus consistently emphasized by high performing institutions. This session will provide participants with an overview of the key elements of a reliable, responsive student service program; provide an assessment of the statistical results of poor student service; discuss the concept of faculty as consumers of services; and provide the necessary tools to foster innovation and help schools deliver an outstanding student service program.

Christopher Lambert, Director of External Affairs, ACCSC

As part of the accreditation process, every ACCSC-accredited institution has the opportunity to respond to a team finding and to submit documentation directly to the Commission in order to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards. During this strategy session, ACCSC will provide a comprehensive overview of best-practices utilized by successful institutions in presenting a clear and comprehensive response for Commission consideration. Additionally, participants will be provided with a “blueprint for success” that includes the necessary tools to help an institution address any compliance issue raised by ACCSC in the accreditation process. Topics include: setting the tone through an effective narrative; strategies in preparing and organizing materials; the importance of data in assessing performance; expectations for supporting documentation; and a review of potential Commission actions.

Michale S. McComis, Executive Director, ACCSC
Juanita Gurubatham, Director of Institutional Development, ACCSC

In October 2010, the U.S. Department of Education (“the Department”) issued new regulations pertaining to, among other things, the definition of a credit hour. Given the variety of learning environments and experiences in vocational and career-oriented education typically found in ACCSC-accredited institutions, the Commission has developed a definition of a credit hour that reasonably approximates the federal definition and provides flexibility in program design and delivery as a means to afford students the best opportunity to achieve programmatic learning objectives. During this session, which will be repeated during the PDC, ACCSC staff will provide an overview of ACCSC’s Definition of a Credit Hour, the potential impact on degree and non-degree programs, the newly established forms related to the credit hour approval process, and the expectations ACCSC-accredited schools should have regarding changes to the on-site evaluation process.

Note: This session will be offered twice during the PDC

Jason Honecker
Lincoln Technical Institute – Mahwah, NJ

ACCSC-accredited institutions recognize the importance of successful student achievement as being vital to the sustained success of the entire post-seconary career education sector. Accordingly, developing relationships with organizations who hire our graduates is one way to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students and industry alike. This session focuses on the importance of developing partnerships that connect career education with industry and will address the orgnaizational mind set needed ensure sustained success. Participants will learn about how to develop the right team; how to identify and understand industry partner needs; how to target specific partners and deepen existing relationships; and how to establish a positive student mindset that focuses on transitioning into the workforce.

Dr. Mike Lanouette
Remington Colleges, Inc.

This dynamic session, designed specifically for education administrators, represents a culmination of formal and informal best practices of high performing instructors and will address one of the greatest challenges faced by instructors every day in the classroom: motivating students. During this session, participants will receive examples, using a variety of methods for use in all educational levels and course topics, which focus on increasing student and instructor motivation. Get ready to interact and be motivated like you never have before.

Stop by Registration to receive your PDC name badge and program. All PDC activities require a name badge to be worn.

Session presented by


Ron Winkler, Interim Director of Talent Acquisition, Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, CA
Cathy Bailey, Executive Director, Customer Marketing, Elsevier

Preparing students to practice in today's complext health care industry can be challenging. With most graduates possessing solid clinical skills, other factors such as professionalism often determine success in attaining and keeping a job. In this session, recent research on this topic will be presented, and participants will gain new insights on the hiring process from the employer perspective. Special consideration will be given to what human resources professionals look for when hiring recent graduates; challenges they encounter with recent graduates both during the interview process and on the job; and ideas for how schools can better prepare their students for successful health careers.

Corey Rosso, Director of Accreditation, ACCSC
Volunteer of the Year, 2012
Volunteer of the Year, 2012
Julie Basler, Volunteer of the Year, 2011
Thomas Bryant, Volunteer of the Year, 2011

ACCSC’s community of volunteers play a crucial role in the peer-review process that is accreditation. Through their active support of the Commission via participation in the onsite evaluation process and involvement on task-force initiatives, committee work, and focus groups, ACCSC’s volunteers have garnered a unique perspective on the performance of the ACCSC membership. This session provides an opportunity the membership to ask questions to, and seek advice from, a panel of ACCSC’s most experienced and active volunteers regarding the keys to success in the accreditation process, as well as the challenges, pitfalls, and frustrations that can derail a successful accreditation endeavor.

Sherry Bomberger and Carla Horn; YTI Career Institute
Jonathan Tarnow, Esq.; Drinker, Biddle, and Reath

The relationship between leadership and successful institutional performance is an important area of focus given the increasing realization that school climate and culture can positively, or negatively, impact the potential for sustained success. In order to ensure success in a highly regulated environment, high performing institutions continue to emphasize compliance an essential component to their organizational culture and as a fundamental aspect of all school operations. During this session, a diverse group of panelists will share their unique perspectives and experiences in developing and fostering a culture of compliance and will provide participants with ideas and the necessary tools to create, foster, and maintain an effective, organization-wide compliance program.

Michale McComis, Ed.D, Executive Director of ACCSC
John Carreon, Kaplan Higher Education
Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., Keiser Collegiate System

Since the last PDC, ACCSC has noted significant changes in the legislative and regulatory landscape of the higher education community – especially with respect to for-profit institutions. With negotiated rulemaking on the horizon, and the continued focus on greater accountability for accreditors and institutions alike, ACCSC continues to actively work to position accreditation as a crucial part of the “regulatory conversation” and to bolster confidence in ACCSC as a leader in accreditation. During this session, participants will have an opportunity to hear from the leadership at ACCSC regarding their view of the current regulatory environment and to gain a better understanding of future possibilities that may prove to reshape higher education.