2023 Institutional Self-Evaluation
Over the past 18 months, De Anza has engaged in a collegewide effort to produce a comprehensive Institutional Self-Evaluation Report, as part of the process for reaffirming De Anza's accreditation. Here is an overview of that process, followed by an expected timeline.
Edited Draft ISER Now Available
An edited draft of the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report has been prepared for final review by College Council and the district Board of Trustees. This draft may be subject to additional final editing.
The College Planning Committee serves as the Accreditation Steering Committee to guide the college through the self-evaluation process and prepare for a site visit in fall 2024 by the external peer review team, following guidelines established by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
Self-Evaluation Process
As part of the self-evaluation, the college has been reviewing its programs and activities in the context of ACCJC Standards and Eligibility Requirements. The resulting Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) will include extensive evidence and a Quality Focus Essay that identifies plans and projects for future improvement.
The steering committee received approval from College Council to assign individual shared governance groups to draft relevant sections of the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report, drawing on their representative membership and areas of expertise. This work began in fall 2022, and rough drafts were submitted during summer 2023. Drawing on those draft sections, the steering committee then developed a draft Quality Focus Essay and improvement plans.
After editing by the Office of Communications, the steering committee is sharing the combined drafts and soliciting feedback from the campus community this fall. The feedback will be incorporated into a final draft that will be submitted for approval by College Council and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees, before it is sent to the ACCJC in December 2023.
Questions or Comments
If you have questions or comments for the college to consider about accreditation, please contact Mallory Newell, Accreditation Liaison Officer at 408.864.8777 or newellmallory@deanza.edu
Comments to the Accrediting Commission
Members of the college community or public may submit comments directly to the commission by completing the commission’s online comment form. Comments should be submitted no later than five weeks before the peer review team visit. Institutions will be provided an opportunity to review applicable third-party comments. See the ACCJC comment form
Timeline for Self-Evaluation
Sept. 22, 2022: Opening Day Presentation
- Accreditation Liaison Officer shares with campus community the purpose of accreditation and explains the self-evaluation process
October 2022: Meetings With Shared Governance Groups
- Accreditation Liaison Officer meets with governance groups to explain process and solicit team leads for writing assigned sections.
- Each assigned team identifies a lead writer who is responsible for collecting evidence
and input from the team, drafting the section and submitting the final product
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- Standard I: Mission, Academic Quality and Institutional Effectiveness, and Integrity – assigned
to College Planning Committee or writing team - Lead: Mallory Newell
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- A. Mission
- B. Assuring Academic Quality and Institutional Effectiveness
- C. Institutional Integrity
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- Standard II: Student Learning Programs and Support Services
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- A. Instructional Programs – assigned to IPBT or writing team - Leads: Erik Woodbury, Moaty Fayek, Mary Pape and Eric Mendoza
- B. Library and Learning Support Services – assigned to Academic Services or writing team - Lead: Tom Dolen
- C. Student Support Services - assigned to SSPBT or writing team - Lead: Michele Lebleu-Burns
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- Standard III: Resources – assigned to Administrative Planning and Budget Team
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- A. Human Resources - Leads: Martin Varela and Pam Grey
- B. Physical Resources - Leads: Jennifer Mahato and Pam Grey
- C. Technology Resources – assigned to Technology Committee or writing team - Leads: Marisa Spatafore and Mary Pape
- D. Financial Resources - Leads: Martin Varela and Pam Grey
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- Standard IV: Leadership and Governance – assigned to College Planning Committee and the following
groups:
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- A. Decision-Making Roles and Processes - Academic Senate Lead: Cheryl Jaeger-Balm; Classified Senate Lead: Deborah Armstrong
- B. Chief Executive Officer - Lead: Mallory Newell
- C. Governing Board - Lead: Mallory Newell with Paula Norsell
- D. Multi-College Districts or Systems - Lead: Mallory Newell
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- Standard I: Mission, Academic Quality and Institutional Effectiveness, and Integrity – assigned
to College Planning Committee or writing team - Lead: Mallory Newell
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October 2022 – June 2023: Self-Evaluation and Initial Draft Report
- College Planning Committee meets to work on and monitor standards in conjunction with shared governance groups serving as writing teams.
Dec. 1, 2022: First Drafts Due From Writing Teams
Feb. 23, 2023: Second Drafts Due From Writing Teams
May 11, 2023: Third Drafts Due From Writing Teams
May 25, 2023: Fourth Drafts Due From Writing Teams
June 2023: Combined Drafts Shared
- Teams' fourth drafts are shared on the website with college community
- Drafts are submitted to the Office of Communications for editing and design
July – September 2023: Communications Office Review
- Communications Office reviews and directs questions to drafting teams or the Accreditation Liaison Officer
- Communications Office continues with final edits, formatting and production
October 2023: Collegewide Feedback on Edited Draft
- Accreditation Liaison Officer presents draft to shared governance process, seeking formal approval from each governance group
- Final revisions are made as needed