UAlbany Provost Appointed to Second Term, Named Chair of National Advisory Committee

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 16, 2013) – University at Albany Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan D. Phillips has been appointed to a second term on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). Phillips was also elected chair of the committee at NACIQI’s December 12 meeting in Washington, D.C.

Provost and V.P. for Academic Affairs Susan D. Phillips, Ph.D.

NACIQI serves to advise the U.S. Secretary of Education on accreditation issues, as well as the eligibility and certification process or institutions of higher education. The committee is also charged with recommending to the Secretary which accrediting or specific state approval agencies should be recognized as reliable authorities for judging the quality of postsecondary institutions and programs. Schools must be approved by a recognized accrediting agency to be eligible to participate in federal student aid and other federal programs. Students attending these postsecondary schools receive some $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

“This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that accrediting agencies have the highest standards for evaluating the schools and programs they accredit,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “I am confident that the committee members will put their talent and skills to work in making sure that accrediting agencies focus on measures of a quality education for students at career and technical schools, colleges and universities.”

Phillips serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at UAlbany. She has previously led the American Psychological Association Committee on Accreditation -- one of the largest specialty accrediting agencies in the nation, and was also appointed by the New York State Board of Regents to their policy advisory group, the Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching. She currently works with certification, accreditation, and licensing issues in her membership on the Joint Designation Committee of the National Register/American Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

"I want to extend my wholehearted congratulations to Dr. Phillips on her chair appointment to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Her experience, professionalism and integrity clearly make her well qualified to continue this important work in advising the Secretary of Education on matters of higher education accreditation," said U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer. “Since 2009, Dr. Phillips has demonstrated the leadership and commitment necessary to advance the mission of NACIQI for the betterment of colleges and universities across the United States.”

“I applaud the appointment of Dr. Phillips to chair of the National Advisory Committee for Institutional Quality and Integrity. Dr. Phillips has demonstrated great leadership in promoting excellence in higher education, said U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand. “Dr. Phillips has helped lead a discussion of a diverse range of topics and perspectives in education, policy, business and government. Her recommendations to Secretary Duncan play a vital role in ensuring the highest standards of accountability for accrediting agencies for higher education institutions.”

“I welcome the news that one of my constituents, Dr. Susan Philips, has been appointed to chair of the National Advisory Council on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI),” said Congressman Paul D. Tonko. “Dr. Philips, who also serves as the provost of the largest university in my Congressional District, will continue to bring significant experience and expertise to her work on the NACIQI. I am certain that Dr. Philips will serve as a strong voice that seeks stronger and more equitable outcomes for the next generation of college students at the University at Albany and beyond.”

An internationally recognized scholar in vocational psychology, Dr. Phillips' research has focused on decision-making and career development. Her recent research has examined factors that facilitate the school-to-work transition, and the role of relationships in career decision-making. She was the 1991 recipient of the American Psychological Association Division of Counseling Psychology John Holland Award for Outstanding Achievement in Personality and Career Research, and has published widely in professional journals related to career development and vocational psychology.

Dr. Phillips currently holds an appointment as Professor in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, and has taught undergraduate courses in counseling and in career and life planning, and graduate courses in career development and in professional issues and practice. She was awarded the 1995 University at Albany Award for Excellence in Teaching and the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Provost Philips has also been instrumental in creating cross-disciplinary initiatives, including research undertaken in unique public-private partnerships to define statewide models of the practices of higher-performing K-12 schools, and in developing research capacity for university-community partnerships through the NIH-sponsored Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities. In addition, she has served on a number of executive boards of professional development organizations in the region, and received the National School Development Council Cooperative Leadership Award of 2004.

"Dr. Phillips has been critical to improving the academic quality of the University at Albany and expanding opportunities for students," said University at Albany President Robert J. Jones. "We congratulate her on her appointment and election as chair of this prestigious committee."

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