External Program Review
Pomona College, one of the seven Claremont Colleges (7Cs), engaged three external reviewers to assess the structure and effectiveness of the Accessibility Resources and Services (ARS) office. The review team included Asha Nambiar, Ed.D., Director of Accessibility and Disability Services at Princeton University; Kathleen Monagle, Ed.D., Associate Dean and Director of Disability and Access Services at MIT; and Katy Young Evans, Ph.D., Interim Director of Accessible Education at Williams College.
The purpose of the external review was to examine how ARS currently operates, including its policies, services, and overall approach to supporting students, and to provide recommendations to enhance ARS’ processes, student engagement strategies, and institutional alignment. Through stakeholder interviews and an in-depth review of practices, the assessment identified strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
The review identified the following key focus areas and opportunities for ARS enhancement:
- Develop a long-term strategic vision
- Maximize the use of SDRC resources
- Enhance intercollegiate coordination opportunities
- Enhance faculty support and engagement
- Expand collaboration with Campus Life, Housing and Residence Life
- Advance involvement in facilities planning
- Optimize staff roles for strategic impact
- Expand services to enrich student connections
- Build an external network for evaluation consultations
- Gather student feedback for continuous improvement
The review affirms ARS’ vital role in fostering accessibility at Pomona College while identifying key opportunities for growth. With a solid foundation in place, ARS is well-positioned to take a more strategic, forward-thinking approach to its services.
By developing a clear long-term vision, optimizing resources, and enhancing collaboration across departments and campuses, ARS can strengthen its impact on students. Prioritizing faculty engagement, leveraging student feedback, and integrating accessibility into broader institutional planning will ensure a more seamless and proactive support system.
The reviewers find that the Pomona ARS team offers high quality, responsive service to its students, and is meeting current demands. ARS is to be commended for the solid foundation of service delivery it has built in its relatively short life span at Pomona. The reviewers’ recommendations focus on the second phase of ARS’ service delivery to its students and the overall college community. By creating alignment with SDRC; strengthening collaborations across campus and within the consortium partners; and building out their network, ARS will be well-positioned for their next phase of service to the Pomona community.
The recommendations outlined in the full report provide a roadmap for advancing ARS’ mission. With intentional implementation, Pomona College can further solidify its commitment to accessibility, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
Current Pomona faculty, staff and students can view a full copy of the external review report.