The Institutional Support Review Committee (ISRC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is not exactly a household name. However, its illustrious members can be found at several prestigious institutions across the country. As one of its many duties, the organization is responsible for reviewing prospective member institutions based on their performance on several different metrics. This includes the nirvana known as the Candidate Reaffirmation Process, which is a rite of passage for many colleges and universities around the country.
The ISRC is a mammoth undertaking whose size and scope are unmatched. It’s one of the many components in a larger, institutionally sponsored, consortium of universities, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies. In a nutshell, the organization works with the nation’s largest institutions of higher learning to improve student success and bolster the nation’s educational infrastructure. For example, the organization helps fund faculty fellowships, professional development funds, and other programs that are designed to promote diversity in the curriculum and enhance student learning.
Among other things, the ISTRC is home to the campus’s Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) program, which is touted as the most rigorous in its class. The program is a well oiled machine, and its staff is readily available to answer questions. In fact, the STIRC boasts a full time staff of seven, plus a cadre of consultants and contractors. A complete listing of contact information can be found on the ISTRC website.
While the ISTRC is certainly the best of the bunch, the organization also has a slew of other high-flying programs and initiatives to promote higher education in general, and college readiness in particular. One such program is the IMPACT Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships for outstanding students from underrepresented backgrounds. Another is the Faculty Development Endowment, which awards faculty fellowships on a competitive basis. Finally, the IMMORTOSS Foundation awards a handful of grants for innovative and impactful projects, as well as other noteworthy programs. If you are interested in the STIRC’s other notable initiatives, check out its website, which can be found at the bottom of this page.