Campus News

Westminster Provost Appointed Chair of Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682

SALT LAKE CITY– Westminster College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. James “Cid” Seidelman, has recently been appointed chair of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, one of the seven regional accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The NWCCU has authority for the educational quality and institutional effectiveness of 160 higher education institutions in the Northwest region, which includes the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Washington.

“Dr. James Seidelman was unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed as the new chair of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities,” said Dr. Sandra Elman, president, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. “His profound understanding of the nuances and complexities of academe and regional accreditation has made him a leader among leaders both in the Northwest and nationally among the entire regional accreditation community.”

Prior to serving as Westminster’s provost, Dr. Seidelman was Dean of the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business where he coordinated the planning and fundraising of the Gore Center for Business, Aviation, and Entrepreneurship and the college’s $7.5 million Flight Operations Center. Dr. Seidelman is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of CIT Bank and serves on the boards of Arnold Machinery Company and the Utah Foundation.

Dr. Siedelman has worked with the NWCCU since 1992 as an evaluator, as a chair of evaluation committees, as a commissioner and as a member of the Commission’s Executive Committee. In July, he was elected to serve as chairman of the board of commissioners.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to work with Dr. Seidelman as together we strive to ensure the future quality and vitality of our accredited institutions and the continued integrity and efficacy of the NWCCU,” said Dr. Elman.

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.

About NWCCU:
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is one of seven regional accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit postsecondary institutions within the United States. It is incorporated as a legally established, private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation for the expressed purpose of accrediting higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Membership and organization of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is set forth in its Bylaws. For more information, visit http://www.nwccu.org.