Reduce the ABET reporting burden: Smarter workflows for engineering programs
What to expect
For many engineering programs, the ABET self-study—especially Criterion 4 (Continuous Improvement)—is the most challenging part of the accreditation cycle. Without a centralized system, critical data is often scattered across spreadsheets and evidence becomes difficult to track.
Join accreditation leaders from Austin Peay State University and University of North Carolina Wilmington to see how Watermark Planning & Self-Study (P&SS) standardizes continuous improvement and ensures no evidence gets lost.
Topics they’ll dive into:
- Collaborative writing: Streamline drafting with a rolling review process and status markers.
- Syncing faculty data: Pull ABET-formatted CVs and evidence with P&SS’s integration with Watermark Faculty Success.
- Direct ABET templates: Ease preparation with built-in forms mapped to specific criteria prompts.
- Visual progress tracking: Provide leadership with real-time visibility via a centralized dashboard.
- Linked evidence: Build self-contained reports by attaching evidence directly to the narrative.
Speakers:
- Dr. Kyle Christmas, Executive Director for Accreditation and External Compliance, Austin Peay State University
- Dr. Matthew Anderson, Associate Professor in the Engineering Technology Department, Austin Peay State University
- Kristy Byrd, Associate Director of Institutional Assessment, University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Emily Mayer, Senior Product Manager, Watermark
Moderator: Dr. Glenn Phillips, Senior Insights Consultant, Watermark
About the speakers
Dr. Kyle Christmas
Dr. Kyle Christmas is the Executive Director for Accreditation and External Compliance at Austin Peay State University, his alma mater. In addition to overseeing the university’s institutional accreditation efforts, he also works directly with faculty to streamline their processes and workflows with technology solutions, such as Watermark’s Planning & Self-Study and Faculty Success. Kyle also oversees the offices of Dual Enrollment and Global Education at APSU.
Dr. Matthew Anderson
Dr. Matthew Anderson is an Associate Professor specializing in Mechatronics in the Engineering Technology department at Austin Peay State University. He also serves as the Assessment Coordinator for the department, spearheading accreditation efforts for its five ABET-accredited programs as they prepare for reaccreditation this year with Watermark’s Planning & Self-Study module. Dr. Anderson’s research interests include engineering education pedagogy, including the role of artificial intelligence in the field.
Kristy Byrd
Kristy Byrd has worked in higher education assessment for 25 years, beginning in the Office of Evaluation as a Research Associate while she was a graduate student at the University of South Florida. She was a full-time faculty member for ten years at Virginia Commonwealth University while continuing to work in the field of assessment. As a faculty member, she was a campus leader regarding high impact pedagogies including service-learning and developed a passion for helping faculty assess these learning modes. In 2017, she transitioned to full-time assessment work while serving in the role of Sr. Assessment and Curriculum Specialist at Savannah College of Art and Design. Following that role, she served as the Director of Assessment, Planning, and Accreditation for the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. After being drawn back to coastal living, she currently serves as the Associate Director of Institutional Assessment at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she is a resource for continuous improvement through assessment, specialized accreditation, and program review for the Colleges of Science and Engineering and Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. She holds an MA in history from the University of South Florida.
Emily Mayer
Emily Mayer is a Senior Product Manager at Watermark. She has worked with Watermark Insights for over fourteen years and has a passion for all things assessment & accreditation management. Emily started her career in support and client services before moving to product research and development in 2019. When she’s not working, she loves being a New Yorker and enjoys arts & culture.
Dr. Glenn Phillips
Dr. Glenn Phillips is a Senior Insights Consultant at Watermark. In his role, he works directly with client colleagues to discuss good practices in assessment and accreditation, and suggest the use of integrated technology as appropriate. Prior to Watermark, Phillips served as the Director of Assessment at Howard University and the Acting Director of Assessment at The University of Texas at Arlington.
