The QA Commons is mindful of the dramatic and transformational impact COVID-19 is having on all institutions of higher education. As an organization, we are adapting our services to support preparing graduates for the workplace that is now changing more precipitously than ever.
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Murray State University, Murray KY, where programs from each of the academic colleges will be participating in the Essential Employability Qualities Certification (EEQ CERT) process.
Murray State is the first college or university to utilize the QA Commons’s Employability Framework throughout the institution. In its initial participation in 2018-20 pilot sponsored by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, three programs from the Jones School of Science, Engineering and Technology were awarded EEQ Certification. Based on the value received from this participation, President Bob Jackson and Provost Tim Todd agreed that the whole institution would be well served by having at least one program from all colleges go through the EEC CERT process.
The Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) represent the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences graduates need for their first job and as a foundation for a lifetime of employed engagement. From working with over 70 programs at more than 4o colleges and universities, the five categories for Certification are germane to all postsecondary programs of study. The EEQs are not industry/discipline-specific but create a comprehensive integrated framework for program self-assessment and improvement, as well as ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.
“We are very proud of the leadership, deans, chairs, faculty and staff in these seven academic program areas which will undergo an extensive examination to further enhance Essential Employability Qualities,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Tim Todd. “The outcomes of these examinations will be nationally-recognized academic programs which have, as part of their core values, the narrowing of the gap between higher education and employment.”
Participating programs are:
Ralph Wolff, Founder and President of The QA Commons praised the leadership of Murray State in demonstrating its institution-wide commitment to demonstrating the employability of graduates through third-party review. “Murray State is taking the lead we hope others will follow in connecting academic quality with workforce readiness across all disciplines,” Wolff said.
A press release from Murray State University about the partnership can be found here.
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