Writing SNHU’s Story
VOLUME XXV
ISSUE 3
OCTOBER 24, 2018
PENMENPRESS.COM
SNHU Exceeds Expectations During Re-Accreditation
Derek Smith Staff Writer
Stefan Karlberg Staff Writer During the fall semester of 2018, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) had a basic re-accreditation done.
Peterson’s Company tells us that, “Schools request to be evaluated and/or have their programs evaluated by an independent accrediting agency. The agency sets its own standards that the school must meet in order to earn their accreditation, and since accrediting agencies vary
in their quality standards, some are considered more prestigious than others. Which one a school pursues depends on what standard of quality the school hopes to achieve and to maintain.” SNHU had their re-accreditation done by the New England
SNHU continues to grow and progress. (image credit: Jaelle Matthieu)
Molly Graves Staff Writer With less than two weeks until SNHU’s first ever Enlightenment event, SNHU student Kafisa Ibrahim ('19) could not be more excited. Ibrahim is the coordinator of the event and was inspired after watching a video on Facebook last year of a family disrespecting Muslim mosques. Ibrahim was outraged and wanted to make a change. With the support and guidance from University Campus President Patricia Lynott, Kayla Page and Michael Reaves, this enormous idea was able to come to life. Through communication and acceptance,
Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). NEASC describes their accreditation process as, “An effective, holistic, research-based resource for creating effective learning communities… A voluntary, in-depth, self-reflective analysis of one’s own learning community validated by peers in the educational community.” SNHU President Paul LeBlanc describes SNHU’s re-accreditation process as, “A very deep dive look at us… it is also an opportunity for us to step back from the day to day and take a hard look at ourselves because when you do the self-study, what you're really saying to the commissioner is this is our story. This is what we are about. This is another day and the evidence supports that.” President LeBlanc
said that even though the accreditation is due every 10 years, SNHU was ready and willing to go for it two years before it was required. According to President LeBlanc, “we changed so much that [the re-accreditation agency] wanted to reset the clock and come in to do a visit.” After this visit, SNHU will not have to undergo another re-accreditation for 10 years. This is great news for students as well. Achieving the re-accreditation shows that SNHU going above and beyond. According to Kirk D. Kolenbrander, the student vice president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “Looking at this institution from the very highest level, it is clear to us that SNHU is world class. It’s the most private nonprofit
Enlightenment: A Move Toward Inclusion many clubs wanted to join in and support Ibrahim. Diversity Programs, Office of Student Involvement, Student Government Association, Women’s Center, International Student Services, Multicultural Student Union, Muslim Student Association, International Student Affairs, Penmen Press and the Academic Affairs are all of the co-sponsors for this event. Enlightenment will be held on October 26 from 4-6 p.m. in the Upper Dining Hall. Tickets are free and will be available from October 12 until the day of the event. Ibrahim will start the event by giving a welcoming speech and then intro-
ducing special guest, Dr. Mariam Durrani. Durrani is an assistant professor at Hamilton College and has pulled together some research on Muslim communities and transitions. After her presentation, Ibrahim will be showing a PowerPoint she has put together. In this PowerPoint she and nine other students who identify as Muslim will share an instance where they have experienced Islamophobia. Next, she will have all of the attendees get up and enjoy the tabling activities hosted by each of the co-sponsors. Last, they will be served a delicious dinner filled with traditional foods to their religion. Biryani rice will be served with chicken and beef kabobs
and a side caprese salad. They will also be serving dates, which signify good luck, with the option of olive or sesame oil. Ibrahim hopes this
event educates students with real facts about the Muslim religion to help open their mind to differences. She feels as though this event will be beneficial to students
university in the country with 35,000 learners. It serves students in all 50 states and globally. It offers traditional campus base experiences and online education. Its strategic planning and implications are exceptional in scope and effectiveness and it’s continuously shaping our understanding of higher education… SNHU’s new strategic plan 'Unlocking talent and opportunity' for 2018-2023 describes a future institution that relentlessly pursues innovation and service to social justice, working to bridge the gap talent and opportunity.” In the end, SNHU was able to go beyond the expectations of the accreditation agency by showing that their programs are strong and the campus is constantly growing.
because globalization is increasing more and more. Inclusion isd something everyone should keep practicing and this event is another step toward just that.
Kafisa Ibrahim, Englightenment Coordinator. (image credit: Molly Graves)