Members of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center’s (DLIFLC) Board of Visitors (BoV) convened at the Institute Dec. 11 and 12 to examine the Institute’s initiatives on life-long learning that maintains continuity of instruction throughout a linguist’s career and beyond.
“The life-long learning model is a cycle that essentially provides support to linguists throughout their professional careers and beyond. From the moment a linguist steps over DLI’s threshold, they are linked to this Institute via continuing education, in-person and online instruction, and an alumni outreach program. And even after they leave the military, they can still access online materials,” said DLIFLC Commandant, Col. Danial Pick.
Members of the board were briefed on DLIFLC’s accreditation status to include two recommendations provided by the Accreditation Commission for Community and Junior Colleges’ (ACCJC). The ACCJC is responsible for quality assurance to the public that institutions are meeting specific standards, and that institutions achieve their stated educational mission. Members were also updated on DLIFLC’s restructuring efforts, Command Language Program initiatives, and Continuing Education Programs.
“We were pleased to host the Board of Visitors and to have the opportunity to show the Board how flexible and agile we have become given the current climate of fiscal uncertainty and execution of Department of Defense-directed cuts to our budget. We have actually been lucky in the sense that we have been able to restructure and cause minimal impact to the quality of linguists we produce,” said Pick. The BoV is comprised of distinguished individuals from academic, business, military, and other professional fields.
The BoV provides DLIFLC leadership with recommendations on matters related to the Institute’s mission, academic policies, staff and faculty development, educational and instructional methodology, research, and technological advances in the education field.
The December meeting marked the eleventh DLIFLC BoV meeting. The inaugural meeting was held in December 2007. “The depth and breadth of BoV discussions, deliberations and findings have definitely increased over time” said Dr. Robert Savukinas, DLIFLC associate dean and accreditation officer. “DLIFLC is fortunate to have a very talented, dedicated board whose members graciously serve without compensation,” Savukinas explained.
BoV members in attendance were: Dr. Richard Brecht, Chair, Dr. Galal Walker, Co-Chair, Mr. Scott Allen, Dr. Robert Gard, Dr. Ervin Rokke, Dr. James Keagle, and Mr. Craig Wilson. The next BoV meeting is scheduled to take place in the summer.
Story and Photo Credits
Story by By Dr. Robert Savukinas, DLIFLC Registrar Office
Photo by Mr. Sal Marulo, Contractor
