WTEA leader joins Postsecondary Commission, unifying efforts towards becoming first outcomes-focused accreditor
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WTEA leader joins Postsecondary Commission, unifying efforts towards becoming first outcomes-focused accreditor
Jennifer Dirmeyer will assume new role as VP of Accreditation for PSC
What are WTEA and the Postsecondary Commission?
The Workforce Talent Educators Association, or WTEA, is an accreditation organization focused on the US postsecondary market. WTEA was started by former economics professor Jennifer Dirmeyer to be the first accreditor recognized by the US Education Department (ED) with a specific emphasis on holding institutions accountable for post-graduate employment outcomes. Recognizing that ED recognition would take some time, WTEA’s first offering was a private market quality assurance offering, which the organization will continue to offer after their accreditation initiative moves to the Postsecondary Commission (PSC).
Founded by Stig Leschly,PSC is also an aspiring accreditation organization focused on postsecondary outcomes. Like WTEA under Dirmeyer’s leadership, PSC is building their organization to become ED-recognized in the next 4-6 years.
Why combining forces to become a new accreditor makes sense
Jennifer, Stig, and every member of their respective organizations are passionate about making post-graduate employment outcomes a core feature of US postsecondary education. Having launched their organizations around the same time, they both kept getting a version of the question, “This sounds great, have you talked to the folks at ___?” Becoming an accreditor is a long, complicated process; With aligned values and vision, both sides realized that together they could move smarter and faster.
Anything else we should know about the move?
Jennifer has joined PSC full-time as their VP of Accreditation. WTEA will launch a search for a new Managing Director of the organization this fall. This MD will be responsible for stewarding the organization’s current, market-based approach to accreditation including working with existing clients. Prospective applicants should reach out to Jen Dirmeyer at jen@workforcetalent.org to learn more.
Who should we contact if we want to learn more?
WTEA: jen@workforcetalent.org
PSC: info@postsecondarycommission.org
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