UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will co-host the 10th annual PA-SARA Conference, an event that focuses on state authorization topics for Pennsylvania institutions participating in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
The PA-SARA Conference will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. Staff within Penn State’s Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research’s (OPAIR) Academic Compliance group and the Pennsylvania Department of Education have been working together for 10 years to facilitate this annual event. For the first time in more than five years, the conference will be held in person.
This annual conference gathers higher education professionals from across Pennsylvania who specialize in seeking and maintaining state authorization for distance education. Attendees will receive updates from national and state leaders, network with peers, and ask questions.
Registration is limited to 96 participants and will close on Nov. 14 or when capacity has been reached. The registration fee is $95 and includes lunch.
"We are so excited to host our 10th consecutive conference and be able to do it in person for the first time since before the pandemic,” said Teri Spence, director of academic compliance at Penn State OPAIR. "We look forward to spending time with our colleagues and experts in the field for a day of valuable learning and networking.”
This year’s speakers include the following:
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Jennifer Stone, higher education associate, and Lynette Kuhn, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education.
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Jared Abdirkin, senior director, Institutional Engagement & Initiatives and Rachel Christeson, senior director for research and data analysis, NC-SARA.
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Cheryl Dowd, senior director, State Authorization Network & WCET Policy Innovations.
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Elisa Jaden, regional SARA director, Southern Regional Education Board.
“Hosting this conference allows us to engage and network with colleagues across the commonwealth, discussing topics specific to Pennsylvania,” said Shawna Pryle, compliance specialist with OPAIR's Academic Compliance office. “This unique opportunity provides one-on-one time with some of the most knowledgeable people in the field.”.
SARA offers a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. States that join SARA agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions’ participation and for dealing with institutions from other states. Over 2,400 colleges and universities nationwide participate in SARA.
Visit the workshop’s website to register and find more information.