Lisa Sharpe

Lisa Sharpe

About me

Dr. Lisa Sharpe has two decades of experience in higher education, both as a professor and as an administrator. She has developed multiple new courses, certificate programs, bachelor's and master's degrees in a career schools environment. Dr. Sharpe's doctoral work and research interests are centered on faculty development, particularly adjunct faculty development. As a professor and chair at the university level, she facilitated faculty development and taught in the areas of strategic planning and student development. As an administrator, her interests center on instructional design and assessment, particularly authentic assessment. Dr. Sharpe is also a graphic and multimedia designer with extensive experience practicing and teaching in the design field. She has spent her entire career working with career students and the faculty who teach them. She considers teaching an honor, and loves to help administrators and faculty succeed and better their professional development.

Activity

Hameed, Of course, as a college instructor myself, I think the faculty are the most important thing! However, facilities, classroom space, and so many other things need to be considered before a new program is implemented. Having just been through an accrediting process, faculty credentials are looked at very strictly. Lisa Sharpe
Hameed, Very true. Have you ever posed as a prospective student and tried to gather information about your competition? I have, and so have many others, but actually, it's hard to get information that is of any value that way. When you are introducing a new program, of course you need to justify (to accrediting bodies and the state) why that program is necessary. Demographic data, demonstrated job need, etc are all factors you probably already take into consideration However, sometimes a survey of local employers is a good gauge of the market as well. Lisa Sharpe
Hameed, Well spoken. I also firmly believe that the people your hire make all the difference. When researching new programs I find it is often helpful to go to industry professionals outside your market area, or subject matter experts who have no vested interest in your organization -- -for the purpose of friangulation. Lisa Sharpe
Troy, That's wonderful. I have found it is best to pull several years of placement data and analyze it, not only as a recruiting tool, but as a program development tool. Lisa Sharpe
Troy, Remember online competition cannot be ignored, especially with adult learners. Who are your main competitors in the online arena? Are they accredited, and are their degrees considered as viable as yours? Lisa Sharpe
Troy, Great! Good for you. Research is important! Lisa Sharpe
Discussion Comment
Troy, Great answer! Have you considered asking members of the accrediting bodies to fit on the board? Lisa Sharpe
S. I. Nusrat, Thank YOU so your insights! And you are so right, gainful employment is the bottom line. Thanks for your participation! Lisa Sharpe
S. I. Nusrat, The medical field is booming, and you are to be commended for expanding into this area. How far into the futre aree your projections? At some point, we will reach job saturation in that market. Lisa Sharpe

S. I. Nusrat, I can relate to this question -- an your answer -- from a personal level, as I have written many new degree programs and certificates for accreditation. Here's a point often overlooked by administration - You have to market those programs as well! When I taught at a midsize midwestern university, our existing art department constantly suffered simply because the university did not know how to market it, and finally failed to market it at all. They were focused on building the university brand, but they did not understand that a new program needs careful nurturing to… >>>

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