Commission Staff

This page presents a list of the nineteen members of the Accrediting Commission and the Commission staff.

Dr. Barbara A. Beno
President

Dr. Beno joined the Commission as President in August 2001.  Prior to her appointment, she served as Commissioner for both the ACCJC and the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  Dr. Beno served as president of Berkeley City College (formerly Vista Community College) for twelve years, Assistant Chancellor of the San Mateo Community College District, Research and Planning Director for the Peralta Community College District, and a university faculty member in Sociology.  Dr. Beno was Chair of the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions from 2006 to 2009.

Dr. Susan Clifford
Vice President of Commission Operations

Dr. Clifford joined the Commission in March 2008.  She provides staff support for the substantive change review process, office management processes, staff development and cooperative efforts with other educational organizations.  She served in both faculty and administrative roles at her former institutions.

Mr. Garman "Jack" Pond
Vice President, Team Operations and Communication

Mr. Pond joined the Commission in July 2004.  Prior to joining the Commission staff, Mr. Pond was Professor of English from 1972 to 2003 and Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences from 2003 to 2004 at Leeward Community College in Pearl City, Hawai'i.  Mr. Pond also served as a Commissioner from 1998 to 2004.

Ms. Dorte Kristoffersen
Associate Vice President

Ms. Kristoffersen joined the Commission staff in July 2010. Prior to joining the Commission she was Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. She has served as Audit Director of the Australian Universities Quality Agency from 2004 to 2007 and as Deputy Director and Director of Development of the Danish Evaluation Institute from 1992 to 2004. She is responsible for the Commission website and newsletter and provides academic support for a range of Commission activities.

Dr. Lily Owyang
Associate Vice President

Dr. Owyang joined the Commission staff in 2003.  She has served in a variety of senior academic administrative positions at private and public institutions of higher education in and outside of California. Dr. Owyang provides staff support for Commission projects as assigned.

Ms. Barbara Dunham
Business Officer/Executive Assistant to the President

Ms. Dunham joined the Commission staff in 1996.  She provides support for Commission staff and maintains the Commission's financial operations.  Her previous experience includes management of an accounting firm and junior high school teacher of English and Literature.

Ms. Mindy Graham
Administrative Support Assistant

Ms. Mindy Graham joined the Commission in April 2010. Ms. Graham provides overall administrative assistance and she will assist with the Substantive Change process. Prior to joining the Commission, Ms. Graham worked in real estate advertising and as a volunteer in Florida public schools. She graduated from California State University Hayward with a B. A. in Human Development.

Mr. Tom Lane
Information Technology/Administrative Support

Mr. Lane joined the Commission staff in 1996.  Tom provides information technology and administrative support for the Commission, as well as website, programming, network, and database operations of the Commission office.

Ms. Whitney Sparks
Administrative Assistant

Ms. Sparks joined the Commission staff in January, 2009.  Whitney provides administrative and technical support for Commission staff.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Certification of Special Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & Remote Sensing from Humboldt State University and is a Microsoft Certified Office Specialist and Desktop Support Technician.