MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Skagit Valley College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Management (BASM) program has been selected as one of 21 community college baccalaureate programs participating this fall in a national pilot of the Community College Baccalaureate Association’s (CCBA) new Quality Framework. The college will evaluate the BASM program using the framework to examine its own practices while contributing feedback to CCBA’s national quality work.
With support from the ECMC Foundation, CCBA is leading a national effort to develop the first Quality Framework specifically for community college baccalaureate programs. The work responds to the growth of community college bachelor’s degrees across the country and the need for clear, evidence-based measures of quality that reflect their distinctive missions, students, and connections to regional workforce needs.
CCBA began this work in 2023 with an extensive research phase examining existing measures, promising practices, and gaps in quality assurance. A national Quality Advisory Taskforce helped guide that early work, which informed the development of the framework. CCBA later convened a national Advisory Task Force to develop the draft framework and worked with six Lead Colleges that tested and refined it while conducting comprehensive reviews of their own baccalaureate programs.
This fall, SVC’s BASM joins a broader group of community college baccalaureate programs that will apply the refined framework and provide feedback on its usability and effectiveness. Their experiences will contribute to continued refinement of the framework and supporting resources ahead of a planned national rollout in spring 2027.
BASM department chair Sunaina Virendra and SVC’s bachelor’s degree program manager Shawna Blue will lead the BASM’s participation in the pilot. Virendra previously served on CCBA’s Quality Advisory Taskforce, which helped inform the early work leading to development of the Quality Framework. Blue is also a graduate of the BASM program.
Virendra and Blue will work through the Quality Framework together, examining the BASM program across its dimensions of quality while providing feedback to CCBA based on their experience applying it. They will also use the process as an opportunity for a candid assessment of BASM’s own work.
Findings from the process will inform BASM’s ongoing program review and improvement, including its work in curriculum and program design, teaching and learning, student support, and preparation of graduates for evolving workplace expectations.
“We are excited to contribute to this work because developing a shared understanding of quality is an important part of the continued evolution of community college baccalaureate education,” Virendra said. “As these programs grow, we need ways to articulate what quality looks like, examine our own practices against those expectations, and learn from one another.”
“As both the bachelor’s degree program manager and a BASM graduate, I’m excited to bring those two perspectives to this work,” Blue said. “The framework gives us an opportunity to identify what is working well, ask where we can do better, and use what we learn to continue strengthening the experience for our students.”
“We are grateful to the 21 institutions that have volunteered for the fall cohort,” said CCBA President and CEO Dr. Cheryl Calhoun. “The perspectives and experiences of these pilot colleges will ensure the Quality Framework is practical, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of colleges and their communities.”
About Skagit Valley College Bachelor’s Degrees
Skagit Valley College offers seven bachelor’s degree programs designed to expand access to affordable, high-quality four-year education in Northwest Washington. SVC’s applied bachelor’s degrees build on associate-level education and prepare graduates for leadership and advancement in high-demand fields, while its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science provides a direct-entry pathway into the technology sector.
Current bachelor’s programs include Advanced Manufacturing and Design, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Conservation, Healthcare Management, Management, Computer Science, and the upcoming Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), launching winter 2027. These programs are designed to meet regional workforce needs and support students who want to advance their education close to home.
SVC’s bachelor’s degrees emphasize accessibility, affordability, and real-world application, helping students strengthen their communities while expanding career opportunities across Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties.
About the Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA)
CCBA supports community colleges across the nation in the development and continuous improvement of baccalaureate programs. Through research, professional development, and innovative tools such as the Quality Framework, CCBA works to strengthen pathways that expand access to high-quality, workforce-aligned bachelor’s degrees.
Media Contact Info
Marisa Pierce, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
360.416.7957
marisa.pierce@skagit.edu