Announcements
Join us for the Virginia Regional Accreditation Symposium (VRAS) Spring 2025 Event! 🌐
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 pm – 1:45 pm (ET)
💻 Location: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
We are bringing together accreditation professionals to discuss key topics shaping institutional effectiveness and compliance in higher education. This interactive session will feature expert panelists sharing insights on:
🔑 Navigating Institutional Culture and Politics
📊 Policy Creation
✅ Differentiated Review
Register now and submit your questions in advance to help shape the conversation!
➡️ Register here: Spring Event Registration (a recording of this session will be available to all registrants.)
🗓️ Submit your questions by Friday, April 4
Let's learn, share, and strengthen our institutions together!
About VRAS
VRAS Listserv
Stay updated on VRAS events and connected with accreditation colleagues in Va! Subscribe to the VRAS email listserv or email Cindy Chiarello.
Mission
VRAS, an active, purposeful network of higher education colleagues in Virginia, advances open discussion and dissemination of knowledge to support institutions’ achieving and sustaining SACSCOC accreditation.
Vision
VRAS serves the higher education community in Virginia by facilitating inter-institutional relationships and providing accurate information and reliable interpretation of SACSCOC policy.
Purpose
The purposes of the VRAS are to:
- Build relationships among faculty and staff responsible for compliance with SACSCOC policies and principles.
- Provide resources for faculty and staff that deal with the intersection of state recognition and regional accreditation.
- Serve as a forum for discussion about salient accreditation-related issues and how they affect Virginia institutions.
- Share accreditation-related knowledge and experiences among Virginia institutions that may serve as an example or guidance to colleagues.
- Welcome, engage, and mentor new members from within our own and other accredited institutions within the Commonwealth to share knowledge and ensure the future growth of the VRAS.
The 2024-25 VRAS Planning Board
Co-Chairs: Ryan Murnane (Regent University), Rachel Smith (Hampden-Sydney College)
Members (alphabetically):
- Cindy Chiarello (James Madison University)
- Loydis Cummings (Marymount University)
- Katrice Hawthorne (Virginia Commonwealth University)
- Jason Lyons (Christopher Newport University)
- Tisha Paredes
- Keri-Beth Pettengill (Brightpoint Community College)
- Denise Ridley-Johnston (William & Mary)
- Veronica Shuford (Virginia State University)
- Kathy Walker (Randolph Macon College)
- Susan Woodruff (George Mason University)
Contact - Cindy Chiarello