Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Accreditation
Info For:
Middle States Standards

Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience

Co-Chair:

Shivanthi Anandan, PhD: Associate Professor Biology, College of Arts and Sciences and Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Shivanthi Anandan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, serves as interim vice provost for undergraduate education. Working within the framework established by our 2012-2019 Strategic Plan, Dr. Anandan formulates initiatives committed to assuring that Drexel undergraduate students are among the most academically, socially, and civically engaged in the nation, and driven by a passion for learning by doing. Dr. Anandan received her bachelor’s in Botany from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, and her doctorate in plant molecular biology from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Co-Chair:

Liza Herzog, PhD: Director of Academic Research, Close School of Entrepreneurship

Liza Herzog is the Director of Academic Research and Assessment at the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University. She teaches at the Close School, and in Drexel's School of Education, and at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (PennGSE). Before coming to Drexel, she served as the Director of the Professional Institute for Educators and MEd Programs at the University of the Arts. Prior to her time at UArts, she spent twelve years in K-12 education, most recently as VP, Research, Evaluation and Planning at the Philadelphia Education Fund, focused on college access and success, STEM programming for secondary students, and teacher professional development. Her early career as an attorney was split between Philadelphia and Washington DC, with Blank Rome's Health Care Practice and Temple University Health System. Liza lives in Center City Philadelphia with her family.

Standard III Description

An institution provides students with learning experiences that are characterized by rigor and coherence at all program, certificate, and degree levels, regardless of instructional modality. All learning experiences, regardless of modality, program pace/schedule, level, and setting are consistent with higher education expectations.

Standard III Criteria

Criteria

An accredited institution possesses and demonstrates the following attributes or activities:

1. certificate, undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional programs leading to a degree or other recognized higher education credential, of a length appropriate to the objectives of the degree or other credential, designed to foster a coherent student learning experience and to promote synthesis of learning;

2. student learning experiences that are designed, delivered, and assessed by faculty (full-time or part-time) and/or other appropriate professionals who are:

a. rigorous and effective in teaching, assessment of student learning, scholarly inquiry, and service, as appropriate to the institution’s mission, goals, and policies;

b. qualified for the positions they hold and the work they do;

c. sufficient in number;

d. provided with and utilize sufficient opportunities, resources, and support for professional growth and innovation;

e. reviewed regularly and equitably based on written, disseminated, clear, and fair criteria, expectations, policies, and procedures;

3. academic programs of study that are clearly and accurately described in official publications of the institution in a way that students are able to understand and follow degree and program requirements and expected time to completion;

4. sufficient learning opportunities and resources to support both the institution’s programs of study and students’ academic progress;

5. at institutions that offer undergraduate education, a general education program, free standing or integrated into academic disciplines, that:

a. offers a sufficient scope to draw students into new areas of intellectual experience, expanding their cultural and global awareness and cultural sensitivity, and preparing them to make well-reasoned judgments outside as well as within their academic field;

b. offers a curriculum designed so that students acquire and demonstrate essential skills including at least oral and written communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, critical analysis and reasoning, technological competency, and information literacy. Consistent with mission, the general education program also includes the study of values, ethics, and diverse perspectives; and

c. in non-US institutions that do not include general education, provides evidence that students can demonstrate general education skills;

6. in institutions that offer graduate and professional education, opportunities for the development of research, scholarship, and independent thinking, provided by faculty and/or other professionals with credentials appropriate to graduate-level curricula;

7. adequate and appropriate institutional review and approval on any student learning opportunities designed, delivered, or assessed by third-party providers; and

8. periodic assessment of the effectiveness of programs providing student learning opportunities.

Name Title Office/Department  Standard
Shivanthi Anandan PhD Staff Co-Chair Undergraduate Education (Provost)  III 
Liza Herzog JD PhD Faculty Co-chair Close School of Entrepreneurship III
Lisa DeLuca Director, Undergraduate Career Services LeBow College of Business III
Kristin Imhoff* Associate Director, Assessment & Retention Projects College of Engineering III
Melissa Kauffman Director of Academic Innovation Dornsife School of Public Health III
Dana Kemery EdD Associate Clinical Professor and Director, Innovative Course Design and Technological Infusion College of Nursing & Health Professions III
Kristi LeBlanc Program Manager Dornsife School of Public Health III
Constance Lyttle PhD Clinical Professor School of Education III
Deidre McMahon PhD Teaching Professor and Coordinator for Academic Assessment and Quality Improvement College of Arts & Sciences III
Jackie Murphy PhD Assistant Clinical Professor, Chair, MSN Advanced Role and Complementary and Integrative Health Departments College of Nursing & Health Professions III
Stephanie Sutcliffe PhD Director of Instructional Design Drexel University Online III
John Wiggins Director, Services and Quality Improvement Drexel University Libraries/td> III
Edward Jordan UG Student n/a III
Therese Mathew UG Student n/a III
Jessica Barr GR Student Goodwin College of Professional Studies III
Rachel DeLauder GR Student College of Nursing & Health Professions III

*Member(s) who contributed to the committee, but has since left Drexel University.