San Juan Town Hall: What a Difference a Year Makes
2019 San Juan Town Hall
Institutional representatives from across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean gathered in San Juan for a Town Hall presented by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education on Feb. 28, 2019.
The Commission regularly hosts Town Halls throughout its region in order to make stronger connections with member institutions, provide updates from the Commission, and deliver other useful information. The Commission accredits 50 institutions in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Prior to the Town Hall, Commission president Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski met with a group of presidents and provosts to give a high-level assessment of the higher education national landscape, including her experience with the Department of Education’s negotiated rule making. Dr. Sibolski is serving as an alternate on the committee.
“The vibe has changed from a year ago,” Dr. Sibolski noted of the island’s post-Hurricane recovery and the noticeable buzz at the hotel which was also hosting a large convention. “Same hotel and same timing. But last year, we were the only ones at this hotel other than FEMA.”
The Town Hall, which was attended by nearly 200 individuals, covered topics ranging from trends in the region, the renewed accreditation cycle, updates on Commission policies and procedures, and becoming a peer evaluator.
Later in the afternoon, attendees had the opportunity to attend a paid workshop providing a “A Deep Dive into Middle States Commission on Higher Education Accreditation. ” The presentation was interspersed with hands-on activities.
The Commission will hold another Town Hall in Harrisburg, PA, on March 26.
President Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski speaks with presidents and provosts from around the Caribbean at a breakfast meeting.
Vice President Dr. Idna Corbett talks about the accreditation cycle as part of a presentation that included Commission staff President Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski, Senior Vice President for Operations Dr. Andrea Lex, Senior Vice President for Accreditation Relations Dr. Christy Faison, Vice President Dr. Hilda Colon Plumey, Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs & Chief of Staff Dr. Heather Perfetti, and Director of Communications Mr. Brian Kirschner.
Vice President Dr. Kushnood Haq was among the presenters that included Executive Assistant to the Vice Presidents Ms. Diana Bonner and Vice President Dr. Stephen Pugliese at a deep dive workshop on working with the Commission that followed the Town Hall.
Categories: MSCHE Staff