The remainder of the team is invited about six months to a year prior to the visit. Commission staff develop the teams from a roster of experienced educators who have exhibited leadership and balanced judgment. Teams represent the profession. Each team is selected to provide experienced, impartial professionals appropriate for the institution being evaluated, and to address any special concerns the college may have expressed. Colleges may ask for special expertise, but they may not request specific individuals.
Teams are reflective of the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the college and the region.
The size and complexity of the institution being evaluated will determine the number of persons on the team. The Commission seeks a balance of experienced and first time evaluators, and each team includes persons with experience at institutions similar to the college being evaluated. All first-time evaluators are required to attend a team training workshop prior to the visit. Any new evaluator who does not attend the workshop or receive an individual training session will be removed from the team and replaced. Although attendance for experienced evaluators is optional, our experience is that most evaluators attend the workshops each year.