Key Responsibilities

The Academic Accreditation Panel (AAP) oversees two primary activity areas:

  • Recruitment, training, overall supervision, and assignment of Program Evaluators (PEVs) for the ABET Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) IH and similarly named programs and the ANSAC health physics and similarly named programs in cooperation with the HPS. Refer to the end of the document for an explanation of the MOU between AIHA and HPS*.
  • Periodic review of IH program criteria as prescribed under ABET’s accreditation practice and proposing modifications when needed.
  • Identify and nominate individuals to represent AIHA on the ABET ANSAC, ABET Applied and Natural Science Area Delegation (ANSAD), and the ABET Board of Delegates.

Structure

The panel is to be comprised of at least ten (10) members representing IH/OEHS faculty and practitioners (as equally split as possible). Members include the pool of PEVs. Members may serve two (2) consecutive five-year terms. To ensure an adequate cadre of PEVs, exceptions to this rule may apply. Individuals may re-apply following a one-year hiatus.

The AAP is led by an AIHA member serving as Chair. Other officers are the Vice-Chair and Past Chair. For each of these positions, individuals may serve up to three (3) consecutive one-year terms, for a total of up to nine (9) consecutive years of service. The AAP is responsible for electing its Vice Chair from among those committee members who have served at least two (2) consecutive years (AAP). The Vice-Chair becomes the Chair once the Chair steps down, who then serves as Immediate Past Chair. Terms commence and end at AIHA Connect. The Vice-Chair is elected by a simple majority of the AAP membership in attendance at the AIHA Connect meeting.

An AIHA Board Liaison is appointed by the AIHA President. This individual does not serve as an officer or a member.

Selection and Qualifications

The process of selecting the new AAP members begins with an open call for applications from the AIHA or HPS membership. Applications are reviewed, and selections are made by the AAP Chair, Vice-Chair, and Past Chair with guidance from the AIHA board liaison and AIHA staff. AIHA will strive to maintain a broad diversity of members, with the caveat that depth of experience and practice of industrial hygiene is paramount.

AAP members shall:

  • Be CIH-credentialed members of AIHA and/or CHP-credentialed members of HPS.
  • Be a balanced representation from all sectors of industrial hygiene practice.

AAP members should:

  • Have knowledge and expertise in evaluating academic programs.
  • Demonstrate solid leadership skills with the ability to be thoughtful, deliberative, and decisive.
  • Work collaboratively in a group setting.
  • Professionally handle differences of opinion with peers.
  • Speak “as with one voice,” supporting decisions once made.
  • Represent the profession as a whole and not just one practice area or specialty.
  • Envision goals, both long-term and strategic, as well as short-term and tactical.
  • Perform their duty in a fair, consistent, defensible, timely, and transparent manner.
  • Attend periodic conference call meetings.
  • Attend the in-person meeting at AIHA Connect, if possible.

ABET

*AIHA and Health Physics Society (HPS) have executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), wherein AIHA is the lead society for health physics academic education program accreditation under ABET. Under the terms of the MOU, while HPS has discontinued its participation as a member society of ABET, they continue to be the source of PEVs for health physics education programs. HPS compensates AIHA annually for the lead society fee for each ABET, Inc.-accredited health physics academic education program for which AIHA serves as the lead society. In addition, HPS compensates AIHA annually in the amount of 20% of the society member fee charged by ABET, Inc., as well as for any direct expenses incurred by AIHA in the performance of its obligations as the lead society for health physics academic education program accreditation, which includes training of program evaluators for health physics academic education programs.

Metrics of Success

  • Timely appointment and training of Candidate PEVs each year.
  • Timely completion of PEV Refresher Training.
  • Periodic review and thoughtful input of suggested revisions to current IH and HP program criteria based on current professional practice.
Learn More About Becoming a PEV
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