Judy Ashcroft participates in recruitment study
Recently, Judy Ashcroft, dean of Continuing and Innovative Education (CIE) at The University of Texas at Austin, participated as an external evaluator at the University of California Riverside (UCR). The study came at the request of UCR’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Ellen Wartella who requested the study be conducted by UCR Extension prior to initiating a recruitment process for a permanent dean. Dean Ashcroft’s role in the study was as a member of an external Visiting Committee.
The study included a perception research assessment by the UCR Office of Strategic Communications and a benchmarking study of seven cohort and aspirational institutions by Peterson, Skolnick & Dodge, an external communications consulting and creative services agency. The final component of the overall assessment was the report by the Visiting Committee, including Dean Ashcroft. Other Visiting Committee members were Bruce Dunn, associate dean, UC San Diego Extension and Dennis Pendleton, dean, UC Davis Extension (chair). The review team met in Riverside for two days in September 2008 and finished their report by phone and e-mail correspondence.
The final report is based upon extensive supporting information provided by UCR Extension and interviews and meetings with three stakeholder groups: academic and administrative managers of UCR Extension; university leaders and faculty; and members of the community who represent key audiences for continuing education in the Inland Empire.