CATYC Conference focuses on shifting gears in higher education
INDIANAPOLIS – The landscape of higher education is changing and institutions are shifting gears. The Council on Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges held a three-day event titled “Shifting Gears in Higher Education” from Sept. 25-27 in Indianapolis, the racing capital of the world.
CATYC, founded in 1937, is a 19-state organization of community college members focused on two-year education and accreditation standards, practices and policies. CATYC is the only organization dedicated to serving the accreditation and quality needs of two-year colleges within the United States.
Vincennes University President and outgoing CATYC President Dr. Chuck Johnson hosted the conference.
According to Johnson, “We were pleased the CATYC held its annual fall conference in our state’s capital, offering attendees the opportunity to experience Hoosier hospitality. The CATYC Conference brought together dedicated college leaders, faculty, and staff from throughout the nation who engaged in the impactful sharing of knowledge that could make their institutions better and spur new goals.”
Fifty-five participants from 14 of the 19-state region attended interactive sessions focused on various challenges and issues facing colleges in fulfilling their missions and meeting accreditation standards, including assessment of learning, student engagement and success, aligning K-12 and higher education, developing leadership teams, and workforce development.
According to Dr. Barbara Jones, Executive Director of CATYC, "Community and junior colleges face unique challenges related to their missions as open enrollment institutions and CATYC is a place where leaders from similar institutions can come together, learn, share, and collaborate to address those challenges. As a member-driven organization, CATYC is focused on two-year education and accreditation standards, practices, and policies and serves as a resource and as an advocate for our
institutions.”
Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery was the conference’s keynote speaker.
“The State of Indiana is honored to have served as the site of the Council on Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges Fall Conference,” Lowery said. “This event is an important annual conference of college and university administrators, faculty, and staff who are passionate about helping all learners realize their dreams through higher education. Community and junior colleges continue to serve a critical role in our communities by providing pathways to accessible and affordable education for all, upward mobility, and offering great value to learners striving to achieve a postsecondary credential.”
Lowery discussed the dramatic decline of the college-going rate in Indiana and efforts to reverse the trend. His speech was very much in alignment with the theme of the CATYC Conference.
Dr. Brian Inbody, President of Neosho Community College in Kansas, received special recognition for his commitment to the CATYC and higher education. Inbody was presented the Legacy Award by Johnson.
The 2022 Fall Conference concluded with Dr. Bruce Moses, President of Allen County Community College in Kansas, taking over as CATYC President from Johnson.
On behalf of the CATYC membership, Moses thanked Johnson for his service as president and presented him with a plaque.
The 2023 CATYC conference will be held October 1-3 in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information about CATYC’s annual conference or to join CATYC, visit www.catyc.com.
###
10.13.2020
Today, the Council on Accreditation for Two Year Colleges (CATYC) announces the retirement of its Executive Director, Dr. George Knox. George began his work as a CATYC board member in 2001 while President at Cloud County Community College located in Concordia, Kansas. Upon transitioning to President of Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas, George continued to support CATYC as both board member and two years as the Executive Board President. George again transitioned to provide Presidential leadership at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas for two years. In 2012, George shifted his CATYC work to serve as the Executive Director and continued until now as he retires.
George has provided excellent leadership in Kansas, Wisconsin, and North Carolina in many capacities. He began his career as a traffic homicide investigator for the Hollywood Police Department in Florida for 12 years. He used his knowledge and experience to teach criminal law for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, NC. As George developed his appreciation of a community college education for students, he moved to Morgantown, NC to become the Department Chair and head of the police academy at Western Piedmont Community College. Another opportunity enabled George to serve as the Dean of Planning and Learning at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, WI. George had one more swing back through Murphy, NC to be the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs before arriving in Kansas.
George and his wife, Carol, look forward to spending more time with his family and sailing.
In honor for George’s dedicated service, a Research Grant will be called, the “George Knox Research Grant.” We thank him for his service!