Two WSU employees will build expertise in managing educational strategic plans after being selected for a prestigious fellowship program.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities selected Tammy Barry and Jon Walter to participate in the accrediting body’s Mission Fulfillment fellowship program. Barry became the WSU Graduate School’s associate dean in charge of program assessment and review in November after several years as a professor in the Department of Psychology. Walter serves as an administrative planning specialist with the department of Institutional Research.
“We are thrilled that Tammy and Jon won the NWCCU fellowships,” said Craig Parks, vice provost for system innovation and policy and WSU’s liaison officer to NWCCU. “All of the regional accreditation agencies, not just NWCCU, are eager to bring data-driven faculty perspectives into the review process. NWCCU is at the forefront of this, which means Jon and Tammy will emerge as national leaders on faculty and data-analytic involvement in accreditation review. This is a great professional development opportunity for them, and as we move into our next strategic plan their expertise will be vital.”
The fellowship allows those selected to meet with regional and national leaders in accreditation, assessment, data analysis, educational innovation, educational effectives and quality assurance. A final project requires participants to collaborate on a final project that contributes positively to their institutions goals.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity,” Barry said. “The curriculum matches very well with my job expectations and our goals for the Graduate School. I appreciate the provost and president supporting my nomination and I look forward to helping WSU pursue its research and academic goals.”
Institutional Research
Walter earned all three of his degrees at WSU and started working for the university as an academic advisor in 2011 before transferring to Institutional Research. He thanked university leaders for their support and said he looks forward to learning from experts at other institutions en route to helping WSU achieve its student success goals.
“I’m really excited to learn from professionals in assessment and data analysis, as well as collaborating with Tammy on the final project,” he added.
