SUA Accreditation Reaffirmation Shows Strength of Young Institution

For such a young institution, Soka University of America is remarkably accomplished. That reality was reaffirmed recently when the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) approved SUA’s accreditation for another 10 years, using a new streamlined process designed for high-performing institutions.

Soka was one of eight colleges and universities—including Caltech, Cal State Long Beach, and UC San Francisco—to earn its accreditation reaffirmation through the new process, known as the Thematic Pathway for Reaffirmation. Institutions that demonstrate consistent evidence of healthy fiscal condition, strong student achievement indicators, and sustained quality performance are eligible to use this path to reaffirmation.

SUA, which is marking its 20th year in Aliso Viejo in 2021, received its first accreditation in June 2005, four years ahead of what is typical for a new institution. In its team report in fall 2020, the WSCUC review team concluded: “In sum, SUA truly is a unique institution with a strong reputation, a deeply felt mission, and highly committed students, faculty, staff, administration, and board. The team applauds the institution’s dedication to its many communities and constituencies, and its deep engagement with the process of accreditation and continuous improvement.”

The new Thematic Pathway for Reaffirmation (TPR) process is as rigorous as the standard institutional review, according to the WSCUC. During the streamlined process, institutions can focus on self-selected themes that advance their mission, coordinate with their strategic planning, and promote institutional improvement.

“Our growing use of student success outcomes and benchmarking data helps WSCUC concentrate on improvement, results and burden reduction,” WSCUC President Jamienne S. Studley said in a release. “We appreciate the collaboration of the first TPR schools to turn this innovation into reality.”

Tomoko Takahashi, vice president for institutional research and assessment and dean of the Graduate School, spearheaded Soka’s accreditation review process. Takahashi, Soka’s accreditation liaison officer since 2001, was elected a WSCUC commissioner in 2015.

“I would like to thank all of the members of the SUA community who contributed to this successful outcome,” said SUA President Ed Feasel, “with special recognition to Tomoko for her excellent leadership in guiding us through the process.”