Dear Colleagues,
As you all are aware, our ABET accreditation visit was completed yesterday. While there are still a few issues that we must address before the accreditation cycle is completed next summer and final accreditation decisions are made, I can tell you that the initial report is very good. The program evaluators were very complimentary of our programs, citing numerous strengths, including senior design projects with tight industry involvement and entrepreneurial components, many experiential opportunities for our students, knowledgeable faculty with good morale, excellent students with positive impressions about the faculty and the department, and strong technical support staff.
There were also some shortcomings throughout the college which we will address during the period between now and next summer. Nevertheless, we believe that these can be addressed successfully and that the final outcome will be quite positive. I should point out that most of these shortcomings have resulted from the college’s decision to “push the envelope” during the past several years with both significant growth in its programs in Pullman as well as the establishment of new programs outside of Pullman. We believe that our work towards this expansion has resulted in significant recognition for the college both within the university and at the highest levels of the state and has been rewarded with new resources that will enable us to strengthen our programs and grow further to meet the needs of the state.
I would like to thank you for the significant amount of work that went into the preparations for the visit and the visit itself. The cooperation between the faculty and staff throughout the college during this time has been outstanding and is well appreciated by the chairs, associate deans, and myself.
Thank you, all, very much!
Sincerely,
Candis Claiborn, Professor and Dean