University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) Chief Executive Officer and Interim President Vivian A. Sanchez has been appointed Commissioner to the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). As an agency that reviews and accredits public and private higher education institutions, WSCUC plays a pivotal role in defining and ensuring academic quality and success for all students by pursuing excellence through its rigorous accreditation standards.
Sanchez’s appointment reflects the University’s accomplishments and is a testament to USAHS’ academic standards. In 2019, WSCUC reaffirmed the USAHS accreditation for a period of eight years commending the University for its culture of student success and innovation, its integrated strategic planning and strong governance.
Commissioner candidates are nominated by peers and current Commission members, and are elected by Presidents and Chief Executive Officers of WSCUC-accredited institutions. Commission candidates were selected due to their demonstrated ability to advance WSCUC priorities through proven strategic planning expertise, finance and operating acumen, commitment to student success, and diversity, equity and inclusion leadership.
Sanchez’s appointment will begin July 1, 2022, and will continue through June 30, 2025, with the opportunity to serve one additional three-year term. This appointment adds to her current role at USAHS.
As a Commissioner, Sanchez will have a direct impact in helping to guide the course of the agency. This includes establishing WSCUC standards for institutional quality and processes for review, acting on the accreditation status of individual institutions and setting the strategic goals of WSCUC as a higher education organization committed to excellence, equity and the public good.
The WSCUC community recognized that Sanchez’s credentials and experience in higher education, across a range of public and private institutions, will allow her to work with the Commission to guide WSCUC toward sustainable growth and to address challenges facing higher education for the future.
Sanchez brings multi-faceted background and skills in higher education to her role as Commissioner. She is acutely familiar with institutional and programmatic accreditation processes and has strong knowledge of regulatory environments throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. While at USAHS, she has led and supported several successful regional and programmatic accreditations and has served as a site visitor for institutions seeking WSCUC reaffirmation of accreditation.
“WSCUC has a leadership role to discharge in the advancement of higher education and has been afforded the opportunity to expand its impact on a national and global scale. I am excited to serve on the Commission to work collaboratively with WSCUC by offering a unique perspective and support to shape the future of education and advance society,” says Sanchez.