By Melissa Prentice
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The executive vice president and provost of the new four-year college in Pima County will be the first administrator from the UA to serve on a regional accreditation commission.
Celestino Fern ndez, University of Arizona vice president of academic outreach and international affairs, was appointed for a four-year term to the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. No one from the UA has served on the commission in the past.
The commission, which comprises 15 members, is responsible for overseeing the accreditation of about 1,000 higher education institutions in 19 states. Fern ndez is one of four new members whose terms begin Jan. 1, said John Kissler, Fern ndez' special assistant.
"It is an opportunity to learn about the best practices in higher education and to assist other institutions in our region in enhancing their institution," Fern ndez said about his appointment.
Fern ndez has served as a
consultant-evaluator for the commission since 1989 and positions are usually filled from this group of faculty and administrators, said Lil Nakutis at North Central. The commission also attempts to balance representation from two-year colleges and four-year research institutions when filling positions on the commission, she said.
Fern ndez said his experience with both NCA and the Middle States Association will allow him to contribute significantly to the commission.
He also said his experience with the commission will help him prepare the new school for accreditation, since both the UA and the new school are accredited by the commission.