Standard 1.5

At Mills College at Northeastern University, the Unit Leadership is empowered with the authority and institutional backing necessary to address the diverse needs of our School of Education credentialing programs within the institution. The College recognizes the importance of providing programmatic support to our School of Education Department Chairs and Program Directors, ensuring that they can effectively oversee the development and implementation of each program while considering the interests and requirements of all stakeholders. 

The Unit Leadership's authority is codified and operationalized with collegiality, fairness, and efficiency in mind as depicted and defined in the following organizational structures for both Credential Programs and Mills College at Northeastern University. In addition, the following document defines and describes  roles and responsibilities of faculty and administration within the School of Education. The Unit’s Leadership structure, roles, and responsibilities provide a solid foundation for decision-making, accountability, and collaboration within the institution.  

Although the overall academic organization and structure of Mills College at Northeastern University is yet to be determined, the norms, guidelines, and processes being followed embody values of equity, inclusion, and representation that characterized our programs and work prior to the merger. Similarly, we anticipate collaborating with the newly formed Mills Institute to continue preparing educators who value education that is inclusive of gender, race, culture, and language diversity. Furthermore, Mills College at Northeastern University facilitates transparency and open communication between the Unit Leadership and the institution's governing board. Board meeting notes and agendas, which can be made available as evidence, showcase the active involvement of the Unit Leadership in institutional decision-making processes. These records demonstrate the ongoing collaboration and support between the Unit Leadership and the governing board, ensuring that the needs and interests of each credentialing program are addressed and prioritized. 

By empowering the Unit Leadership with the authority, institutional support, and resources necessary to effectively manage the credentialing programs, Mills College at Northeastern University reaffirms its commitment to delivering high-quality education to future educators. This strong programmatic design fosters an environment conducive to innovation, growth, and continuous improvement, ultimately benefiting the students and faculty of our esteemed institution.