Jon Berger is new Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)

John Berger, the Assessment Coordinator (left)
will be the new Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)
Joe Saimon, the Director of Development and
Community Relations (right) is the outgoing ALO.

National Campus, Palikir,– According to a September 3, 2010, letter from the College president to the accrediting commission, Mr Jon Berger will be the next ALO. In his memo to Dr Barbara Beno of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), President Spensin James stated that this appointment will come into effect on October 1, 2010. He will be replacing Mr Joseph Saimon who has been the accreditation liaison officer (ALO) for the College since 2004.

According to President James’ letter, Jon Berger formerly served as the director of academic programs and more recently as math and career & technical education instructor at Yap Campus. In spring 2008, Jon was awarded as Yap Campus Top Instructor and again in 2009. Jon was relocated to the National Campus as the new assessment coordinator under the instructional department.

According to Mr Berger “being an ALO is a very important position in the College which can also be a stressful position. I was tasked by the president (of the college) to provide training, mentoring and leadership for the college with regards to accreditation. I look forward to the challenge of it,” he said.

As ALO, the following will become Mr Berger’s new responsibilities:

• Keep the college community informed about the Commission policies, procedures, and activities;
• Promote a campus culture that is concerned about accreditation;
• Promote a campus culture that values a focus on student learning outcomes;
• Make the college's accreditation documents accessible;
• Facilitate Annual Reports;
• Facilitate Substantive Change reports;
• Facilitate other reports to the Commission; and
• Provide information on current Self Study efforts

Mr Berger received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida and his master’s degree at Fayetteville State University at North Carolina.