June 3, 2011
Baltimore, MD - ABET, the world leader in higher-education accreditation for applied science, computing, engineering, and technology education programs, announced today that Charles W. Hickman will join the ABET headquarters staff as Senior Director of Society Relations, effective June 20, 2011. In this position, Hickman will be the primary point of contact for ABET's society representatives, managing the relationship between ABET and its member societies.
Hickman comes to ABET from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), where, as Manager, University Programs since April, 2008, he was the IEEE society representative to ABET. He brings varied and lengthy experience in the academic community and in professional education. For more than 20 years he served in a variety of senior staff positions for AACSB International, the accrediting agency and service organization for university-based business schools around the world.
Hickman previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs for Quisic, a Los Angeles-based e-learning firm, and as Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Council of Higher Education, an advocacy and service organization that works to leverage the intellectual and institutional assets of universities and colleges to support regional economic development in and around Cleveland and Akron. He received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Iowa.
"ABET's relationships with our member societies are absolutely critical, and we are very pleased that Charles Hickman will be leading this important function for us," said Dr. Michael Milligan, ABET Executive Director. "His depth of professional experience and his recent experience as a member society representative give him unique knowledge to further develop and elevate our society relations programs."
ABET is a federation of 31 professional and technical societies. Most of ABET's member societies have curricular responsibilities - recruiting, selecting, mentoring, and training qualified program evaluators who, along with team chairs, comprise the teams assigned to accreditation visits. Read more about ABET's member societies.
About ABET
ABET, the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology, is a federation of 31 professional and technical societies representing these fields. Among the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for more than 75 years.
ABET currently accredits over 3,000 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities worldwide. More than 2,000 dedicated volunteers participate annually in ABET activities. ABET also provides leadership internationally through workshops, memoranda of understanding, and mutual recognition agreements, such as the Washington Accord. ABET is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.