By Sophie Saint-Firmin, News Editor
Every 10 years, Asbury University undergoes reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC). One of the requirements for reaffirmation is the identification and implementation of a quality enhancement plan (QEP). Asbury University’s most recent QEP will focus on drawing attention to cultural responsibility.
“The plan, which is linked with one of the six elements of our institution-wide strategic initiative, defines ‘cultural responsibility’ as an attitude that governs our posture toward people, places and things outside our regular realm of experience or understanding,” said Associate Dean Dr. Kevin Brown.
The QEP will combine a myriad of competencies in terms of awareness, knowledge and the skills required to engage with those “who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant and productive ways,” according to Brown.
The idea is for some of these learning outcomes to come to fruition over time and be measured accordingly. “As one example, part of the plan will involve revamping our Cross Cultural Engagement experience (preparation, reflection, academic credit, etc.) for future students,” said Brown.
Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research and Effectiveness Paul Stephens noted that though the QEP is related to the strategic plan, the strategic plan is much broader and comprehensive. The five-year strategic plan, Imagine 2022: Asbury’s Vision for Faithful Change, includes elements such as the advancement of Asbury’s Foundations Program, collective academic rigor, optimizing spiritual growth activities and growing understanding and appreciation of scripture and Wesleyan-Holiness theology.
According to Stephens, the strategy speaks to areas that support student learning in indirect ways. “Additional goals have been set that relate to the overall operation of Asbury, such as generating downward pressure on the cost of attendance, fueling innovation, further developing infrastructure and the development of faculty and staff,” he said.
More information about the strategic plan can be found on Asbury’s website.
The QEP is also related to the Embrace Initiative of the strategic plan’s vision for cultural responsibility. According to Stephens, their coexistence is vital. “That is, the QEP is a relatively concise, specific plan that does not encompass all of Asbury’s strategic priorities,” he said. “Concurrently, our work of advancing as a culturally responsible community is a larger endeavor than the specified actions within the QEP.”
More information on the QEP will come in the fall of 2019.
