Siran Craig

Faculty need to understand the standards for their evaluation. This ensures they meet expectations and maintain quality instruction.

What I personally learned is that hiring faculty with industry experience keeps courses current and adds valuable real-world perspectives for students.

Give the same integrity to students and their families as you would when buying a home or a car. A school’s mission should clearly communicate its purpose and values. Transparency builds trust, and integrity ultimately boils down to doing the right thing — even when no one is watching.

One key thing I learned is the difference between deferment and forbearance. Both allow you to pause payments, but deferment may prevent interest from building on certain loans, while forbearance allows interest to continue growing. Understanding this helps students make smarter financial decisions and avoid increasing their loan balance unnecessarily.

Adding a personal touch, such as knowing a student’s name, creates a more comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. When staff are friendly and treat each other and students with kindness, it makes the entire environment more inviting and supportive.

From the moment students walk through the doors, the admissions department plays a crucial role in shaping their experience. Their guidance can significantly influence students’ decisions, while also ensuring that students fully understand the financial aid options available to them.

Visits may last 30 minutes to an hour and can happen any day of the week. Let’s stay calm, polite, and professional at all times before, during, and after the visit. There’s no need to argue; just be respectful and cooperative. Especially during the exit interview, showing grace and professionalism makes a strong impression.

Keeping commonly requested items updated and easy to access such as the catalog, marketing materials, enrollment agreement, handbooks, syllabi, faculty files, inspection reports, and current accreditation and state licensure documents can greatly reduce stress during a visit.

Visitors may also want to speak with faculty and students. When it comes to interviews, less is more—encourage honest, simple answers and allow individuals to share their experiences naturally without over-preparing or over-explaining.

The President should serve as the primary point of contact for any visitor and be prepared to provide requested documentation and answer questions. If unavailable, a senior manager with experience at the institution should serve as the backup.

A clear protocol should be in place for both announced and unannounced visits. The tour should be brief, friendly, and cover all key points a typical visitor would see, while also allowing access to any areas the accreditor requests.

I was made aware today that there can be various reasons for a campus visit, including employee or student complaints. This serves as a reminder of something we discussed in previous lessons: it’s important to ensure that both staff and students feel heard and supported. Simple, regular check-ins can go a long way in maintaining morale and addressing concerns early.

Whenever there is a visit, it’s essential to be well prepared. Consistently following compliance requirements from the start helps prevent issues and avoids unnecessary concern or disruption. Proactive communication and adherence to policies create a smoother experience for everyone involved.