Committees

The University of San Diego’s academic program review (APR) process provides a systematic and continuous means of assuring academic excellence in student learning. It provides the foundation for assessing student learning and for making evidence-based plans and decisions to foster improvements at all levels of the institution. Program reviews are integral to planning, resource allocation, and other decision-making within the university.

The Academic Review Committee (ARC) is part of the four-stage academic program review process:

1. Departmental or program self-study reflective review
2. External review site visit and program review team report
3. Internal Review - Academic Review Committee recommendations
4. Long-term plan and memorandum of understanding (MOU)

The ARC is comprised of representatives from each school and the college: three from the College of Arts and Sciences, one from the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, one from the School of Business, and one representative each from the professional schools. It meets once or twice per semester to review a program or department's self-study, its program review team (PRT) report, and the department/program response and the dean’s response to the PRT report. The ARC generates recommendations by which to achieve program goals based on the academic program review materials and meeting discussion. The recommendations are forwarded to the department chair or program director, the dean, and the provost in advance of the long-term plan meeting, after which a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is signed by the provost, dean, IESI representative, and department chair or program director.

Current members of the Academic Review Committee include:

Please contact your representative or the committee chair with questions about academic program review.

The University Assessment Committee, with representatives from Academic Affairs and its college and schools, Student Affairs, and Institutional Research and Planning, reviews and provides support for the following processes throughout the university:

• Assessment of student learning outcomes within departments and divisions
• Guidelines and data for the academic program review process
• Schedule and protocols for campus-wide surveys of students, faculty, and staff
• Narratives and documents describing student success at the institutional level

Current members of the University Assessment Committee include:

Please contact your representative or the committee chair with questions about assessment, academic program review, or campus-wide surveys.

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2020-2021 Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC).

SPSC Charge:

• Affirm USD’s capacity to fulfill the institution’s goals and opportunities through the integrated Strategic Planning process.
• Think holistically about how to fulfill USD's mission, vision, goals, and pathways. What "story" should be told? What can be done to coalesce existing and future initiatives?
• Review strategic initiative full proposals, budgets, and rubric scoring forwarded by Strategic Initiative Review Council.
• Recommend proposal funding to Executive Council for a vote and a final decision from the President.

Co-Chairs:

Andrew T. Allen, PhD
Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives, Professor of Economics

Rangapriya Kannan-Narasimhan, PhD
Founding Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Catalyzer, Department Chair of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, School of Business

Members:

Joey Abeyta
President of the Associated Students

Yasmine Kahlor
Graduate Student Council Chair

Julia Cantzler­, PhD, JD
Associate Professor, Sociology & Faculty Integration Coordinator, Advocate LLC
University Senate

Jane Georges, PhD
Dean and Professor, Hahn School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Kimberly Alessio
President, University of San Diego Alumni Association

Rick Olson, PhD
Associate Dean & Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Member at Large

Donald Godwin
Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
Member at Large

Theresa Harris
Director, Procurement
Member at Large

James Harris, DEd
President
Ex Officio

Neena Din, PhD
Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences & Adjunct Faculty, Biology
SGC1 Co-Chair

Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD
Assistant Vice President, Director of University Ministry
SGC1 Co-Chair

Richard Miller
Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
SGC2 Co-Chair

Joi Spencer, PhD
Interim Dean and Professor, School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES)
SGC2 Co-Chair

Mike Williams, PhD, JD
Director, Changemaker Hub and Professor, Political Science and International Relations
SGC2 Co-Chair

Michel Boudrias, PhD
Associate Professor, Environmental and Ocean Sciences
SGC3 Co-Chair

Mark Peters, PhD
Director for Mission, Mission and Ministry 
SGC3 Co-Chair

Janice Evelyn
Director of Learning and Development, Human Resources
SGC4 Co-Chair

Kristin Moran, PhD
Associate Dean and Professor, Communication Studies
SGC4 Co-Chair

Linda Dews, MSEd
Assistant Dean, School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES)
SGC5 Co-Chair

Christopher Nayve, JD
Associate Vice President for Community Engagement & Anchor Initiatives
SGC5 Co-Chair

Invited Guests:

Peter Marlow, MBA
Associate Vice President, University Communications

Elizabeth Giddens, PhD
Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives

Paula Krist, PhD
Director of Institutional Research and Planning

Deborah Kelly, PhD
Clinical Professor of Economics 

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2019-20 Strategic Planning Support Team (SPST).

SPST Charge:

• Set policies and procedures for implementing and assessing the strategic plan and goal initiatives.
• Consult Strategic Goal Committees on proposal review process, assessment, and goal progress tracking and reporting.
• Develop and facilitate proposal development workshops.

Chair:

Andrew T. Allen, PhD            
Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives, Professor of Economics

Members:

Carole Huston, PhD
Associate Provost, Professor of Communication Studies (CAS)

Paula Krist, PhD        
Director of Institutional Research and Planning

Elizabeth Giddens, PhD
Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2019-20 Strategic Initiative Review Council (SIRC).

SIRC Charge:

• Reviews full proposals and budgets, using a scoring rubric (including those stemming from the strategic goal opportunities)
• Determines, with input from VP or Dean, which strategic initiative proposals move to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC) for funding consideration.
• Makes recommendations if criteria are not met and advises if a variation of the proposal should be submitted for the next cycle or deferred for several cycles.

Chair:

Andrew T. Allen, PhD
Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives, Professor of Economics

Members:

Neena Din, PhD   
SGC1 Co-Chair          
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Adjunct Faculty, Biology

Mike Williams, PhD, JD
SGC2 Co-Chair          
Director, Changemaker Hub and Professor, Political Science and International Relations

Michel Boudrias, PhD
SGC3 Co-Chair          
Associate Professor, Environmental and Ocean Sciences

Kristin Moran, PhD
SGC4 Co-Chair 
Associate Dean and Professor, Communication Studies

Denise Dimon, PhD         
SGC5 Co-Chair          
Associate Provost for International Affairs, Professor of Economics

Andrea Garcia
Graduate Student Council Chair

Marion Chavarria Rivera
President of the Associated Students

Rick Olson, PhD         
Member at Large          
Associate Dean & Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering

Elizabeth Giddens, PhD       
Ex Officio SPST Representative       
Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2019-20 Strategic Goal Committee 1 (SGC1).

SGC Charge:

• Research, evaluate, and prioritize the opportunities through 2024.
• Solicit new initiatives, review pre-proposals, and make recommendations to SIRC.
• Represent initiatives on the “Implementation Plan” form.
• Monitor progress of initiatives. 

Co-Chairs:

Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD (initiative leader for Student Success Committee/Retention Plan)
Assistant Vice President, Director of University Ministry

Neena Din, PhD        
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Adjunct Faculty, Biology

Members:

Beth O'Shea, PhD (initiative leader for the New Core Curriculum)                 
Associate Professor, Environmental and Ocean Sciences

Cassandra Gomez, MPH (initiative leader for National Fellowships and Prestigious Student Awards)
Director, Pre-Health Advising Services, Dean's Office in the College of Arts and Sciences

Charles Bass, MA     
Senior Director, Alumni Relations

Robin Darmon (initiative leader for Enhancing Post-Graduation Opportunities and Engaging Alumni)
Senior Director, Career Development Center

Ronald Valenzuela                 
Assistant Director of Athletics for Student Athlete Services  

Non-Member Initiative Leaders:

Elizabeth Giddens, PhD (initiative leader for Academic Program Review)                 
Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives 

Gail Baker, PhD (initiative leader for Academic Strategic Plan)                 
Vice President and Provost 

Stephen Pultz (initiative leader for Enrollment Plan and Torero Promise)                 
AVP, Enrollment Management

Strategic Initiative Awardees (initiative leaders for Innovative Strategic Initiatives in Goal 1)               
Various Faculty, Staff, and Administrators 

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2019-20 Strategic Goal Committee 2 (SGC2).

SGC Charge:

• Research, evaluate, and prioritize the opportunities through 2024.
• Solicit new initiatives, review pre-proposals, and make recommendations to SIRC.
• Represent initiatives on the “Implementation Plan” form.
• Monitor progress of initiatives.

Co-Chairs:

Joi Spencer, PhD
Interim Dean and Professor, School of Leadership and Education Sciences

Mike Williams, PhD, JD     
Director, Changemaker Hub and Professor, Political Science and International Relations

Richard Miller, PhD (co-initiative leader for Center for Inclusion & Diversity Refresh and initiative leader for Building an Inclusive Campus Environment) 
Interim Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Members:

Andrea Garcia
Graduate Student Council Chair

Novien Yarber
University of San Diego Graduate Assistant

Susan Lord, PhD
Chair and Professor, Integrated Engineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering
Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

Tara Salinas, PhD
Professor of Business Ethics, School of Business

Non-Member Initiative Leaders:

Gail Baker, PhD (co-initiative leader for Center for Inclusion & Diversity Refresh and initiative leader for Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Faculty)
Vice President and Provost

Karen Briggs (initiative leader for Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Staff and Administration)
Associate VP and Chief Human Resources Officer

Stephen Pultz (initiative leader for Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Student Body)                 
AVP, Enrollment Management

Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD (initiative leader for Catholic Student-Focused Initiatives)
Associate Vice President, Director of University Ministry

Strategic Initiative Awardees (initiative leaders for Innovative Strategic Initiatives in Goal 2)               
Various Faculty, Staff, and Administrators 

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2019-20 Strategic Goal Committee 3 (SGC3).

SGC Charge:

• Research, evaluate, and prioritize the opportunities through 2024.
• Solicit new initiatives, review pre-proposals, and make recommendations to SIRC.
• Represent initiatives on the “Implementation Plan” form.
• Monitor progress of initiatives.

Co-Chairs:

Mark Peters, PhD
Director for Mission, Mission and Ministry 

Michel Boudrias, PhD (initiative leader for Environmental Sustainability Efforts)
Associate Professor, Environmental and Ocean Sciences

Members:

Abby Berk, PhD
Clinical Professor of Management, School of Business

Christiana DeBenedict
Director, Environmental Leadership Initiatives, The Nonprofit Institute; Interim Director, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

Diana Chen, PhD    
Assistant Professor, Integrated Engineering

Kari Braun
Business Director, Auxiliary Services

Sabrina Nelson
Assistant Director, Residential Education

Scott Anders, MA
Administrative Director, EPIC, School of Law

Theresa Harris
Director, Procurement, Procurement Services

Trey McDonald     
Director of Sustainability, Facilities Management

Victor Carmona
Assistant Professor, Theology and Religious Studies

Non-Member Initiative Leaders:

Ky Snyder (initiative leader for the Renaissance Plan)
Vice President, University Operations 

Richard Virgin (initiative leader for Increase Endowment and Student Scholarships)
Vice President, University Advancement

Katy Roig (initiative leader for Strideto2024@USD, the New Budget Model, and CAR)
VP for Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Strategic Initiative Awardees (initiative leaders for Innovative Strategic Initiatives in Goal 3)               
Various Faculty, Staff, and Administrators 

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2019-20 Strategic Goal Committee 4 (SGC4).

SGC Charge:

• Research, evaluate, and prioritize the opportunities through 2024.
• Solicit new initiatives, review pre-proposals, and make recommendations to SIRC.
• Represent initiatives on the “Implementation Plan” form.
• Monitor progress of initiatives.

Co-Chairs:

Janice Evelyn
Director of Learning and Development, Human Resources

Kristin Moran, PhD
Associate Dean and Professor, Communication Studies

Members:

Cheryl Getz, EdD   
Associate Professor, SOLES Faculty Liaison, Associate Professor, Director of Leadership Studies Minor

Eileen Fry-Bowers, PhD, JD      
Associate Professor, Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science

Justine Rapp Farrell, PhD
Associate Professor of Marketing, School of Business

Lisa Fernandes           
Executive Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement

Rebekah Wanic, PhD
Lecturer II, Adjunct Professor, Adjunct Faculty Liaison, Psychological Sciences

Non-Member Initiative Leaders:

Deans and Provost (initiative leaders for Faculty Workload)

Gail Baker, PhD (initiative leader for Faculty Compensation)
Vice President and Provost

Lisa Nunn, PhD (initiative leader for Faculty Engagement with CEE)
Director, Center for Educational Excellence

Traci Merrill (initiative leader for Faculty Engaged Scholarship)
Director, Office of Sponsored Programs

Mike Williams, PhD, JD (initiative leader for Changemaker Faculty Fellows Development)     
Director, Changemaker Hub 

Lorri Sulpizio, PhD (initiative leader for Department Chair Leadership Development)     
Executive Director, Conscious Leadership Academy 

Karen Briggs (initiative leader for Staff & Administrator Compensation, Staff & Administrator Leadership Development, Employee Recognition Programs, and Practice of Joining)
Associate VP and Chief Human Resources Officer

Strategic Initiative Awardees (initiative leaders for Innovative Strategic Initiatives in Goal 4)               
Various Faculty, Staff, and Administrators 

The university is pleased to announce that the following people have accepted the responsibility of serving on the 2019-20 Strategic Goal Committee 5 (SGC5).

SGC Charge:

• Research, evaluate, and prioritize the opportunities through 2024.
• Solicit new initiatives, review pre-proposals, and make recommendations to SIRC.
• Represent initiatives on the “Implementation Plan” form.
• Monitor progress of initiatives.

Co-Chairs:

Christopher Nayve, JD (initiative leader for Anchor Institution and Community Engagement)
Associate Vice President for Community Engagement & Anchor Initiatives

Linda Dews, MSEd
Assistant Dean, School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES)

Members:

Andrew Blum, PhD       
Executive Director, Institute for Peace and Justice, Professor of Practice

Bridget Gramme, JD  
Administrative Director, Supervising Attorney, Adjunct Professor of Law

Charles Bass, MA     
Senior Director, Alumni Relations

Derrick Cartwright, PhD       
Associate Professor and Director of University Galleries

Erin Bishop    
Director for Mission and Center for Christian Spirituality

Kevin Sierra
University of San Diego Undergraduate Assistant

Kimberly Alessio
President, University of San Diego Alumni Association

Truc Ngo, PhD
Chair and Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

Non-Member Initiative Leaders:

Denise Dimon, PhD (initiative leader for Study Abroad and International Experiences)
Associate Provost for International Affairs

Mike Williams, PhD, JD (initiative leader for Changemaker Hub Initiatives)     
Director, Changemaker Hub 

Krystn Monroe Schrieve (initiative leader for National Branding and Marketing Campaign) 
Director, Brand Marketing and Communication

Bill McGillis (initiative leader for Success in Athletics) 
Associate VP and Director, Athletics

Strategic Initiative Awardees (initiative leaders for Innovative Strategic Initiatives in Goal 5)               
Various Faculty, Staff, and Administrators 

Charge:

USD's vision is to set the standard for an engaged, contemporary Catholic university where innovative changemakers confront humanity's urgent challenges. The Urgent Challenges Collective utilizes the passion of our students, the expertise of our faculty, and the commitment of our community partners to address the most urgent challenges of the 21st century in an innovative and collaborative way. Tthrough the Strategic Initiative Grant Funding project, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee recognized that there were a number of issues that faculty, staff, and students have consistently sought support for. These six issues are asterisked below and represented by members of the Collective.

Co-Chairs:

Mike Williams, Michel Boudrias, and Chris Nayve

Members:

*Homelessness: Mike Williams and Kate DeConinck

*Cross-Border Engagement: Maria Silva and Kevin Guerrieri 

*Food Justice: Christopher Carter, Nick Riggle, and Aaron Gross 

*Environmental Justice: Michel Boudrias and Emily Young

*Human Trafficking: Ami Carpenter and Melanie Delgado

*Educational Equity: Odesma Dalrymple, Kristopher Hall, and Laura Rivard

Senate Representative: Kevin Guerrieri

Anchor Pathway: Chris Nayve and Laura Dietrich 

IESI Administrators: Andy Allen and Elizabeth Giddens

Charge:

The WSCUC Steering Committee is an ad-hoc committee made up of faculty, staff, and administrators throughout the institution who “have their boots on the ground.” These members are highly engaged employees who are either long-standing at the institution or, by their role at USD, understand deeply how the institution operates. This committee is responsible for gathering evidence for each WSCUC Standard/CFR and federal requirement. 

Chair:

Elizabeth Giddens, PhD

Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives; USD's Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) to WSCUC

Members:

Charge:

The WSCUC Executive Committee is responsible for providing direction for USD's reaffirmation of accreditation with WSCUC in 2021. The WSCUC Executive Committee will apply for the thematic pathway for reaffirmation (TPR), create a timeline for reaffirmation, review all submissions for Component 2 (the self-study), write the institutional report, plan for the site-visit, and meet on a bi-monthly basis to ensure the University is progressing as intended. 

Chair:

Elizabeth Giddens, PhD

Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives; USD's Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) to WSCUC

Members:

Andy Allen, PhD

Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives

Carole Huston, PhD

Professor of Communication Studies and Gender Studies; Special Assistant to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives

Paula Krist, PhD

Director of Institutional Research and Planning

Ron Kaufmann, PhD

Professor of Environmental and Ocean Sciences; Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Margaret Leary, PhD

Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Programs in the Division of Student Affairs