Looking Inward to Plan Ahead

Self-accounting is an essential aspect of Muslim ethos and practice and serves as a driver for sustained improvement. Over the course of this difficult year, the leadership at Zaytuna College took stock of where things stand to prepare for the future.

Shortly after this inward look, a team of scholars and administrators from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the regional accrediting body, visited to review the College’s progress since its last accreditation visit two years ago. The team commended Zaytuna for a number of specific achievements: • Serious and comprehensive attention to prior

WASC recommendations • Thoughtful planning and execution of substantial improvements to facilities and technology, particularly during the pandemic, and investment in technology for instruction and the creation of podcasts • Launching a plan with a clear mission and specific strategic priorities • Development and expansion of the Zaytuna

College board, with dedicated professionals representing a wide range of expertise • Creation of a leadership team, Shūrā, that offers cross-institutional consultation and communication

WASC made several recommendations for further improvement, including implementing a financial plan that provides the necessary resources to reach the endowment goal, expanding faculty and administrative personnel, formal assessment of student achievement of learning outcomes, and increasing both curricular and co-curricular support for students, including American Disability Act (ADA) infrastructure. The staff, faculty, and students, with the grace of God and community support, feel confident and ready to achieve these goals in the years to come. The College is incredibly grateful for these kind words and concrete recommendations for improvement, but external approval is only a baseline. We ultimately aim to establish an institution that, God willing, becomes a standardbearer for our community in the United States. Zaytuna’s leadership team believes that internal standards should always be more rigorous than what is expected by others. Such muĥāsabah (selfexamination) is essential to the pursuit of ihsān (excellence) that underpins this great religious tradition.

WASC members meet with Zaytuna staff.

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