NECHE visited AUK to evaluate efforts towards Accreditation

From February 25 to 28, 2024, and as part of the University’s journey towards U.S. Accreditation, the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) hosted a visiting team from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The team’s objective was to assess the University’s readiness for Candidacy. During its visit, the team engaged in multiple individual and group discussions with AUK’s faculty, staff, and students.

The NECHE team consisted of Dr. David Quigley, Boston College; Marianne Cwalina, Consultant on Higher Education Financials; Dr. Joseph B. Farhat, Central Connecticut State University; Dr. Christopher S. Taylor, Al Akhawayn University; and Christopher H. Rhoda, Thomas College.

In the concluding assembly in AUK’s auditorium, the visiting team expressed its appreciation for not only the progress the institution has made over the past few years but also the enthusiasm, dedication, and professionalism of the faculty and staff.

“The visit was beneficial as it identified areas requiring further attention and presented in concrete terms the roadmap for moving forward,” stated Dr. Randall Rhodes, President of the American University of Kurdistan. The President also extended special thanks to the faculty and staff who participated in the writing of the Self-Study Report and the Accreditation Team in keeping the process moving forward over the past two years: Dr. Lee Bash, AUK’s Accreditation Consultant; Dr. Honar Issa, Secretary of AUK’s Board of Trustees; and Ajin Saadi, Director of AUK’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.

It is important to note that Candidacy is not accreditation itself; rather, it represents a formal affiliation with NECHE that indicates the institution’s progress towards accreditation. If AUK attains Candidacy, then it will have another visit in the next years to assess its readiness for membership within NECHE.

AUK maintains U.S. accreditation as one of its top priorities as it will raise the institutional profile and ensure that the University be recognized as a premier institution in the Middle East – one that continually is advancing and adhering to American best practices in higher education.