Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE)
Our mission is to develop and support a community of educators and inform assessment practices in higher education to foster and improve student learning and institutional quality.
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is the Commonwealth’s coordinating body for higher education. SCHEV was established by the Governor and General Assembly in 1956. Then as now, our mission, which is outlined in the Code of Virginia, is “to advocate and promote the development and operation of an educationally and economically sound, vigorous, progressive, and coordinated system of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and to lead state-level strategic planning and policy development and implementation based on research and analysis …. The Council shall also seek to facilitate collaboration among institutions of higher education that will enhance quality and create operational efficiencies and shall work with institutions of higher education and their boards on board development.”
To fulfill our mission, SCHEV makes higher education public policy recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly in such areas as capital and operating budget planning, enrollment projections, institutional technology needs, and student financial aid. SCHEV administers a variety of educational programs that benefit students, faculty, parents, and taxpayers. SCHEV serves as a catalyst to promote greater access, quality, affordability, and accountability throughout the system. SCHEV also helps policymakers, college administrators, and other concerned leaders work cooperatively and constructively to advance educational excellence.
Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium (VIVA)
VIVA is the academic library consortium of Virginia, serving 71 of the non-profit academic libraries, including all 39 public colleges and universities, 31 independent universities, and the Library of Virginia. Through cooperative and shared collection development, resource sharing, open and affordable programs, education and training opportunities, and strategic initiatives, VIVA directly supports academic institutions across the state in providing access to high quality academic resources for students and faculty at Virginia institutions.
The About pages provide detailed information about VIVA, including mission, structure, service, and funding.
Home – VIVA Libraries – VIVA, Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium at VIVA
The Virginia Regional Accreditation Symposium (VRAS)
The VRAS, an active, purposeful network of higher education colleagues in Virginia, advances open discussion and dissemination of knowledge to support institutions’ achieving and sustaining SACSCOC accreditation.
VRAS serves the higher education community in Virginia by facilitating inter-institutional relationships and providing accurate information and reliable interpretation of SACSCOC policy.
The purposes of the VRAS are to:
- Build relationships among faculty and staff responsible for compliance with SACSCOC policies and principles.
- Provide resources for faculty and staff that deal with the intersection of state recognition and regional accreditation.
- Serve as a forum for discussion about salient accreditation-related issues and how they affect Virginia institutions.
- Share accreditation-related knowledge and experiences among Virginia institutions that may serve as an example or guidance to colleagues.
- Welcome, engage, and mentor new members from within our own and other accredited institutions within the Commonwealth to share knowledge and ensure the future growth of the VRAS.
For more information on the VRAS organization or the annual meeting, please contact Matthew Smith, msmit55@gmu.edu