Self-Study Design - Howard University, Graduate School

Self-Study and Steering Committees and to provide overall oversight for the process through the
anticipated site visit in the Spring of 2009. Dr. Taylor, a national leader within his discipline and
one who has served as a faculty member and held many administrative positions at the
University since 1973, is a seasoned veteran of higher education who has been a participant in
many major developments at national research universities. Dr. Taylor served as Chair of the
University-wide Self-Study Committee in 1987–89 in preparation for the University’s successful
quest for reaffirmation of its accreditation in 1989.
The initial phase of the Self-Study process was conducted under the Office of the Provost, with
infrastructure and administrative support being provided as required. Dr. English, former dean of
Howard’s School of Social Work, and similarly a national leader within his field, appointed Dr.
Alvin Thornton, Associate Provost, to serve as a liaison to the Self-Study process.
In a subsequent action, Dr. Donald Wilson, Senior Vice President of Health Affairs, upon the
request of the President, appointed Dr. Charlene Hogan, Associate Dean of the College of
Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences, to serve in a similar role as Dr. Thornton. Dr.
Hogan provides liaison between the Self-Study leadership and Dr. Donald Wilson, Senior Vice
President for Health Sciences, and the Chief Administrative Officer for the College of Medicine;
the College of Dentistry; and the College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences
The University President provides overall leadership of the Self-Study process and Dr. O.
Jackson Cole, Executive Assistant to the President, serves as his liaison officer with Dr. Taylor
and the Self-Study community. The President has designated Dr. Cole as the University’s
Association Liaison Officer to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Dr. Cole
served as one of the central administration liaison officers for the 1999 Self-Study and as a
member of that Study’s Executive Committee.
Board of Trustee Engagement
Because of the centrality of the Self-Study process to Board of Trustee interests, and its
relationship to other Board initiatives, namely the Presidential Search Committee, the Leadership
Transition Committee, the Long Range Financial Planning Committee, and its own Academic
Excellence Initiative, two Board members were designated to work directly with the Self-Study
process. Specifically, Ms. Marie Johns, Chair of the Board’s Academic Excellence Committee,
agreed to serve on the Self-Study Steering Committee and Dr. Charles McDonald agreed to serve
as an external committee member and Board liaison for the Mission and Goals and Leadership
and Governance Work Groups.
Steering and Executive Committees Established
Due to the comprehensive nature of the Self-Study and the vast amounts of data and resources to
collect and analyze, the University formed an Executive Committee and a Steering Committee to
direct and organize the work of administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
The Steering Committee comprises a broad range of individuals from the University. In addition
to including faculty, administrators, staff, and students, the Steering Committee includes Board
of Trustee members who are actively engaged in the Self-Study process. The Steering
Committee handles the overall direction of the Self-Study.
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