This session will explore two topics: a) the alignment between the new WSCUC Standards and international institutions, and, b) the benefits and challenges international institutions faced seeking and being granted WSCUC Initial Accreditation.

The WSCUC Commission adopted the new 2022 Standards of Accreditation at their November 2022 meeting. WSCUC Commissioner Anita Enriquez will lead a discussion about the ways in which these new Standards will align well with international institutions and how they may present particular complications.

Then, Dr. Sharistan Melkonian with the American University of Armenia will share findings from her dissertation research, Questions About the Effectiveness of International Accreditation: An Examination of How Three International Universities Have or Have not Benefited from U.S. Accreditation. Dr. Melkonian admits that U.S. accreditation may not be the answer for every institution but, for the institutions included in her study, Dr Melkonian found  “…the challenges were worth it and the benefits far outweighed those challenges.”