Dear Pacifica Community,
I am pleased to share the news that Pacifica Graduate Institute has received reaffirmation of accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) for another six-year term. This reaffirmation reflects WSCUC’s confidence in our commitment to student learning, institutional development, and continuous improvement.
Our accreditation process has been a comprehensive and collaborative effort spanning more than two years. It included the submission of an institutional report (January 2024), an off-site review (April 2024), responses to lines of inquiry (July 2024), an on-campus visit by the WSCUC team (October 2024), and a final meeting with the Commission (February 2025). I extend my deep gratitude to all who contributed to this process, particularly our accreditation work team and steering committee.
WSCUC commended Pacifica for several accomplishments, including our student learning assessment initiatives, robust student support services, and progress in faculty governance and institutional equity. At the same time, the Commission provided recommendations for continued development, including enhancements in strategic planning, faculty governance structures, student outcomes tracking, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts. As part of our ongoing accreditation cycle, we will submit a progress report in November 2025 and host a mid-cycle special visit in 2027 to address these key areas.
You can read more about accreditation at Pacifica here.
We deeply value our relationship with WSCUC and the accreditation cycle’s role in fostering reflection, growth, and accountability. Accreditation is not just a requirement—it is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and our vision for Pacifica’s future. For all who contributed to this process, thank you. Let us take a moment to celebrate this achievement and the dedication it represents.
Sincerely,
Dr. Colin Marlaire
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Pacifica Graduate Institute
With a distinguished career spanning 19 years in higher education, Dr. Colin Marlaire has a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative strategies to enhance student experiences, educational delivery, faculty well-being and development, curriculum design, and educational technology. Dr. Marlaire earned his Ph.D. in English Literature from Marquette University and completed his M.A. and B.A. in English. His career journey began at National University, where he spent a decade as a professor leading the English program before transitioning into roles focused on curriculum improvement and online program development. He subsequently held senior leadership positions as Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Technology and Learning Officer at Northcentral University, where he was instrumental in developing 39 new programs and significantly growing the institution’s student body from 8,000 to 13,000 students. His work at Northcentral University was pivotal in establishing the institution as a leading Marriage and Family Therapy education provider. At Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, Dr. Marlaire has driven initiatives that led to the highest year-over-year retention improvements in the institution’s history. His leadership approach is deeply collaborative, fostering a culture of transparency, shared governance, and continuous improvement.
