Empowering Excellence in Higher Education: The Mission of CAS

​In the dynamic world of higher education, the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) plays a pivotal role in empowering professionals to enhance student learning, development, and success. With a clear vision and a robust mission, CAS is committed to promoting the use of professional standards that serve as a cornerstone for quality in student affairs.

Our Vision
CAS envisions a higher education landscape where professionals are equipped to foster environments that maximize student learning and development. By empowering practitioners, we aim to elevate the entire educational experience, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Our Mission
As a consortium of professional associations, CAS is dedicated to the development, assessment, and improvement of quality programs and services in higher education. Our mission is not just about establishing standards; it’s about creating a culture of continuous improvement. By promoting the use of our professional standards, we help institutions enhance their educational offerings and better serve their student populations.
The Purpose of CAS
Founded to implement crucial initiatives, CAS has several key purposes that guide our work:

• Establishing Unified Standards: We develop and disseminate timely professional standards that guide student learning and support programs.
• Promoting Assessment and Improvement: Our standards encourage institutions to engage in self-study and evaluation, fostering an environment of ongoing enhancement.
• Advancing Professional Standards: We work tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of professional standards among educators and practitioners.
• Providing Resources: CAS develops materials that support the effective use of standards, making it easier for professionals to integrate them into their work.
• Quality Assurance: We advocate for a focus on quality in all educational endeavors, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement in higher education.
• Fostering Collaboration: CAS promotes inter-association efforts to address pressing issues in quality assurance and student development, ensuring all voices are heard in the creation of relevant standards.

A Collaborative Approach
CAS serves as a forum for representatives from various higher education organizations to come together and seek consensus on best practices. This collaborative spirit ensures that the standards we create reflect a broad, profession-wide perspective rather than a narrow viewpoint. By bridging specialty areas, CAS offers a unified voice on matters of professional standards and quality assurance.
Join the Movement
Engaging with CAS means becoming part of a larger community dedicated to enhancing the quality of student affairs. We invite you to connect with us through social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on new standards, resources, and initiatives. Share your experiences and insights with your colleagues, and encourage them to leverage CAS standards in their practices.
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Together, we can create a higher education environment that not only prioritizes quality but also champions the success of every student. Join us in our mission to empower higher education professionals and enhance the standards that guide our practice. Let’s work together to foster a culture of excellence in student affairs!