PDF Print Email

Peer Consulting


NSEE is excited to announce the launch of our Peer Consulting Program: An affordable way for institutions to get the feedback that they need.

As higher education institutions move to expand experiential education offerings, increase community engagement, refine student learning outcomes, support faculty and professional staff and articulate and assess outcomes, this committee was created to help.

NSEE has developed a program for institutions to request peer consultation. Any institution may request a review from the Peer Consulting Committee, regardless of NSEE membership. Institutions may reach out to the Chair of the Peer Consulting Committee, free of charge, to ask any questions prior to submitting an application.

The institution requesting consultation will determine the depth and breadth of the work, which can be delivered through phone calls and electronic communications or on-site visits. NSEE offers a variety of services based on best practices in the field; including reviews of specific programs, creating external evaluation reports which contain analysis and recommendations for improvements, basic consultation as campuses determine the feasibility of experiential education policy changes, or advanced consultation for those already engaged who wish to take their EE to the next level.

These services are administered through a Peer Consulting Committee. Experts identified by the committee can also offer less formal support to members who are looking to be matched with peers from comparable institutions, those that have initiated innovative projects, or those who have held meetings or trainings.  The goal of the NSEE Peer Consulting initiative is to provide a client institution with valid, independent third-party feedback. 

FEES 

Client institutions identify needs and institutional funding available to support these needs. NSEE’s Peer Consulting Team will work with each client to discern the consulting time necessary for each project. The client institution will pay a flat fee of $100 per hour of consultation as well as all travel and lodging expenses for consulting team members if consultation happens in-person. Client institutions will not be charged for their initial phone call with the Chair of the Peer Consulting Committee. 

TEAM FOCUS

The client institution will work with the Peer Consulting Committee to determine the key focus area(s) for examination and assessment, including, but not limited to:

  • Formal organization and structure of experiential education on a campus
  • Operation and procedures – institutional reporting
  • Scope of services and programs – visions for future changes
  • Campus culture and institutional change
  • Institutional support
  • Level of alignment and/or impact on institutional and/or departmental mission 
  • Staffing - professional and support staff levels
  • Dissemination of information to various constituencies
  • Student learning outcomes at the campus, program, and course levels
  • Effectiveness of Experiential Education curriculum/process for student learning
  • Professional development of faculty and staff
  • Curricular integration of experiential education
  • Relevant policy development including risk management and liability
  • Partnerships – with community organizations and businesses
  • Partnerships -- with other departments on campus and other education institutions
  • Navigation of experiential education offerings by students
  • Communication of student outcomes
  • Assessment of outcomes – including student attrition, completion, engagement and employability
  • Strengthening EE within the institution
  • Strategic planning for EE program design    

TO REQUEST A CONSULTATION

To begin the process, send an email to [email protected] with subject line “Peer Consulting,” and request an initial discussion, free of charge, with the Peer Consulting Committee Chair. 

Not ready for a consultation? Check out our FREE Webinar series. 

 
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NSEE Peer Consulting Program?

The NSEE Peer Consulting program helps connect institutions to peers who may assist them through informal or formal consultation. The goal of the program is to help provide client institutions with valid, independent third-party feedback in any EE areas they would like support. The program is appropriate for institutions seeking review of their existing programs or structures, or those who are considering implementing new experiential learning programs or activities.

Any institution may request a review from the Peer Consulting Committee, regardless of NSEE membership.

How much does it cost?

The program is affordable and costs depend on the length and type of consultation needed. NSEE’s Peer Consulting Team will work with each client institution to discern the consulting time necessary for each project. The client institution will pay a flat fee of $100 per hour of consultation as well as all travel and lodging expenses for consulting team members if consultation happens in-person. Client institutions will not be charged for their initial phone call with the Chair of the Peer Consulting Committee.

How can the consultants help me?

NSEE can help you with any type of consultation you need. Whether you’re looking for some feedback on a student success initiative idea, you’ve been tasked with creating an experiential education program, or you’re just curious about what other institutions are doing, we can help!

Who are the consultants?

After the committee gets a sense of your needs, they will identify individuals with expertise from peer campuses. Experts will be vetted by the Peer Consulting Committee and agree to uphold NSEE’s Principles in all of their work. Client institutions may be involved in the process of choosing experts. If you would like to volunteer as a peer consultant, please send an email to [email protected] indicating your interest.

What’s involved?

It’s easy to start the conversation about what you need help with, even if you don’t want a full in-person visit.

  1. Email [email protected] with a short note indicating interest
  2. You’ll get an email back asking you to identify a campus liaison or main point of contact and you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire.
  3. Based on your answers, experts will be selected and a small team will review your needs and respond to you.
  4. We’ll work with you to determine what kind of consultation you need (calls, webinars, in-person visits).
  5. Depending on your needs, you may be asked to complete a self-study.
  6. The consultation will commence.