Dear WSCUC Community,

I was attracted to WSCUC seven years ago by a position announcement that led with “a passion for student success.” That is my purpose and WSCUC’s, whether a day’s work involves representing accreditors in negotiating federal policy, speaking to a reporter or our Accreditation Leadership Academy about equity and leadership, supporting Commissioners making complex decisions about an institution’s quality, or helping institutions and teams get maximum value from the review process.

I never thought, when I chose American Studies as my college major and then a law degree, that so much of my career would center on evidence and data, designing metrics and dashboards. But it turns out that tools I’ve helped design over the decades – WSCUC’s Key Indicators Dashboard (KID) and peer benchmarking, College Scorecard and, yes, federal financial composite score, are well-suited to the craft of an advocate for justice. And they can be power tools when seeking fresh insights and actionable strategies.

Along the way I realized that every data point is a student — one who is proceeding smoothly or stalled, an education that is delivering solid intangible and tangible rewards or failing to offer value — or an indicator of institutional capacity to create an effective learning environment. It’s been fascinating to explore how increasingly rich evidence can support equity, student success, and quality.

Serving as WSCUC President since 2018 has been a privilege as well as a responsibility to our students and institutions, and to higher education. I’ve called it the capstone to my long higher education career, which began with an associate deanship at Yale Law School in 1983. In that spirit I was deeply honored to receive the Lasting Legacy Award from AICCU (Association of Independent California Colleges & Universities) this fall.

Any organization is a team sport, and WSCUC has an extraordinary team. I relished the chance to work alongside the wise and dedicated Commissioners and the amazing range of institutions and people around the world that make up WSCUC. You know the WSCUC staff as smart, responsive, innovative, and curious; I know they are also collaborative, creative, caring, and fun. Finally, I value and will continue to engage with colleagues in the national higher education policy, student success, and accreditation communities.

Leadership is a relay, not a sprint or even a marathon. I am so glad that tomorrow I will hand the baton in this relay to my exceptional teammate, teacher, and friend Christopher Oberg, whom the Commission has wisely asked to be Interim President. He will in turn pass it to WSCUC’s next president. I will then join all of you in giving that person my support in carrying forward WSCUC’s mission in service of excellence and success for all students.

I find myself turning lately to the philosophy of Peanuts and Winnie the Pooh, whom I quoted at the Commission’s lovely farewell dinner:

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard.”

I’m saying goodbye to the job, but not to higher education, students, or this wonderful community.

With my thanks, and warm wishes to you all for a season of sharing and peace, and satisfaction and good health in 2025,
 

Jamie