Impact

Free workshop on distance education state authorization being offered virtually

The annual PA-SARA workshop will be held on Nov. 17

One of the Lion Gates at Penn State's University Park campus. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is again co-hosting a free virtual workshop in November on the topic of state authorization that addresses issues for Pennsylvania institutions that participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, or SARA.

The PA-SARA Workshop will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. Penn State Outreach and Online Education's Office of Compliance and Contracts and the Pennsylvania Department of Education are the co-hosts for the seventh straight year.

Each year the workshop brings together higher education professionals from across Pennsylvania who work in the field of state authorization for distance education to hear news and updates from national and state leaders and to network and ask questions. 

Registration is currently open until Nov. 11. 

“Despite ongoing challenges due to COVID-19, we were able to again create an event that will be offered online and free of charge to participants so that this important event can continue to be offered,” said Teri Spence, director of the Outreach and Online Education Office of Compliance and Contracts.

This year’s speakers include the following:

  • Gina Wetten, higher education associate, and Lynette Kuhn, chief for the Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity, both with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  • Marianne Boeke, senior director for research and state support and interim president for NC-SARA.
  • Jeannie Yockey-Fine, general counsel for NC-SARA.
  • Jana Walser-Smith, director of interstate compliance and member outreach of the State Authorization Network.
  • Elisa Jaden, director for the Southern Regional Education Boar region to NC-SARA.

“We are excited to be able to once again offer the workshop free of charge and virtually to accommodate more participation across the commonwealth,” said Shawna Pryle, compliance specialist in the Office of Compliance and Contracts.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements provide a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. States that join SARA agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions' participation and for dealing with other states' institutions. More than 2,200 colleges and universities nationwide participate in SARA.

Visit the workshop’s website to register and find more information.

Last Updated October 28, 2022