John Cornwell honored by trustees

Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness John Cornwell received special recognition from the Rice Board of Trustees at the Dec. 12 board meeting for his success in managing the university’s accreditation responsibilities and his efforts to assist the campus in using survey methodology to inform planning and decisions.

John Cornwell

“John works very hard to ensure that meeting the requirements for accreditation is an informative and manageable process and not unduly burdensome for faculty and staff,” said Vice President for Finance Kathy Collins in her nomination letter. “He works closely with faculty to find ways to make the accreditation process a tool in improving our educational programs to the benefit of our students.”

Cornwell came to Rice in 2007 as associate vice president and director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE). He reports jointly to the provost and the vice president for finance. He also holds an appointment as adjunct professor in psychology.

OIE works with units across campus to identify expected outcomes for educational programs and administrative and education support services and then to monitor progress toward accomplishing those outcomes.

Since Rice’s reaffirmation of accreditation in 2007, the university has provided ongoing reports to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Most recently, SACS reviewed Rice’s fifth-year interim report, a significant hurdle before the major 2015 review, with no citations or follow-up requirements, wrote Collins.

“Not only has John’s work put us on track for re-affirmation in 2015, but he has participated broadly in efforts beyond his immediate job responsibilities, including initiating efforts to move the General Announcements online, archiving syllabi and formulating a response to the National Research Council’s report on graduate programs,” Collins wrote.

Most recently, Cornwell assumed the role of director of Rice’s Institutional Research Board and immediately took steps to improve the research review process, Collins said.

“In addition to the regular student surveys his office conducts, he cheerfully assists other offices in developing, administering and analyzing surveys to inform planning and decisions,” Collins wrote. “John is a genuinely collaborative person. He works with faculty, staff and students with high levels of energy, enthusiasm and commitment.”