Dr. Shari Peterson has been elected to serve as a commissioner for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Her term will begin on July 8, representing Nevada on the 26-member board responsible for overseeing accreditation across the region.
The NWCCU ensures that colleges and universities meet high standards of quality and effectiveness. Commissioners are tasked with evaluating institutions, setting accreditation criteria, and promoting continuous improvement in higher education.
Dr. Peterson has been part of the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) for nearly thirty years. She started as an adjunct instructor in the dental hygiene program and later became its program director for seven years. In 2015, she assumed her current role as Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Strategic Planning. In 2019, she was appointed CSN’s accreditation liaison officer.
Her involvement extends beyond CSN as she has served as a peer evaluator for both NWCCU and the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Her efforts at CSN focus on tracking progress, improving programs, and ensuring alignment with the college's mission to effectively serve students.
Dr. Peterson's appointment to the NWCCU Commission enhances CSN’s influence in shaping higher education's future while reinforcing its commitment to accreditation standards.