Stephens College Revamps Equestrian Studies Program

 

The Columbia Missourian posted "Stephens College initiatives expand equestrian program" on May 24, 2024 with reporting by Michael Baniewicz.

I am not a horse person, though I am fascinated by equestrian studies as a curricular subject. We are blessed in our area with two small institutions that have maintained strong programs over many years. 

Stephens has added courses as it redesigned the program to better align with industry needs and standards. There is also a new research collaboration between Stephens College and the University of Missouri. I enjoyed the reporting, including the comment that the Stephens College Equestrian Studies Program has the highest retention rates at the institution. 

The article also traces program history back to 1925 when horseback riding was added to Stephens’ curriculum by physical education instructor Wilma Haynes as an extracurricular activity.

Mount Tamalpais College Receives Accreditation

IHE reports in "A Newly Accredited College for Incarcerated Students," with reporting by Sara Weissman that Mount Tamalpais College was formally accredited as a two-year college last month by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Mount Tamalpais College becomes the only accredited, independent liberal arts college in the country that operates its main campus out of a prison. The institution serves roughly 300 students with a dozen staff and volunteers.

Importance of Institutional Diversity: Call for a New Balance of Mission and Metrics

Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University, provides a powerful commentary for The Chronicle of Higher Education on January 20, 2019, "Yes, We Need Accountability. But We Also Need Institutional Diversity."

Dr. McGuire uses her experience with institutional accreditation at Trinity Washington and the situation facing Bennett College to craft a call for re-balancing missions and quality metrics.