Standard 5.11 Effective Leadership

The Program Director of the NMU MS-SLP Graduate Program provides effective leadership and administration to ensure the success of the program as it pursues accreditation. The following duties and responsibilities outline the Program Director’s essential role in fostering program compliance:

1. Ensure Compliance with Accreditation and Certification Standards
• Oversee academic and clinical compliance with the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology standards.
2. Monitor and Evaluate Faculty and Staff Performance
• Provide ongoing performance monitoring and evaluation of faculty and staff. Advise the Associate Dean in making recommendations related to hiring, merit, equity, promotion, tenure, and termination decisions.
3. Oversee Academic and Clinical Programs
• Oversee aspects of the MS-SLP Graduate Program including academic and clinical components.
4. Prepare Accreditation Documentation and Reports
• Complete all CAA accreditation documentation and reports in a timely manner, including an annual outcome assessment based on program data.
5. Engage with the Program’s Advisory Board
• Convene annually with Board Members to review and assess the program’s strengths, weaknesses, and outcomes.
6. Facilitate Clinical Affiliate Feedback
• Conduct annual outreach to clinical affiliates to gather feedback on the program and stay informed about updates and developments in the field.
7. Analyze Enrollment Trends
• Conduct an annual review and analysis of enrollment to inform program planning and resource allocation.
8. Prepare Outcomes Assessment Reports
• Develop and submit annual outcomes assessment reports as part of the NMU Assessment of Learning (AoL) process.

Program Director Evaluation

The Program Director will undergo a comprehensive annual evaluation process to ensure continued effective leadership and administration:

• Faculty Survey
• Faculty members will complete an annual survey evaluating the Program Director’s performance. Results will be reviewed and shared with the Program Advisory Board. Board members will have the option to provide feedback via a supplemental survey about the Program Director.
• Faculty Evaluation Process
• The Program Director will participate in the NMU Master Agreement annual faculty evaluation process, with detailed documentation of their duties and accomplishments.
• Review by Evaluation Committees
• Evaluation materials will be reviewed by the Faculty Evaluation Committee and the Associate Dean of the School of Clinical Sciences. Each will provide a written report on the Program Director’s performance for the prior year.

By fulfilling these responsibilities and undergoing regular evaluations, the Program Director ensures the program remains compliant with accreditation standards and effectively supports the success of its students, faculty, and staff.