A³ STEP Accreditation
American Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education Programs
A New Accreditor focused on Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs
Overview
The Alliance emphasizes the following core requirements:
- Post-secondary education programming that leads to the completion of a certificate and/or diploma in a skilled trade.
- Use of apprenticeships as part of the educational programming.
- Establishing a common core of transfer courses aligned with state and/or regional requirements.
- Promoting economic mobility, credential recognition, and long-term
The Board of Trustees
Christopher S. Bjornstad, Executive Director
Christopher S. Bjornstad, Executive Director
Christopher S. Bjornstad, Executive Director
Chris Bjornstad is a practicing psychologist specializing in industrial/organizational psychology, with expertise in program effectiveness assessment, implicit motivation, and the application of artificial intelligence in post-secondary education. My work explores how AI can enhance learning outcomes, streamline accreditation processes, a
Chris Bjornstad is a practicing psychologist specializing in industrial/organizational psychology, with expertise in program effectiveness assessment, implicit motivation, and the application of artificial intelligence in post-secondary education. My work explores how AI can enhance learning outcomes, streamline accreditation processes, and improve access to education, particularly in skilled trades.
His journey in psychology began with a bachelor's degree, followed by hands-on experience working with adolescents in a group home. This early exposure to applied psychology led him to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. While completing his graduate studies, he worked as a social worker in a nursing home and as a community outreach counselor, gaining valuable insights into systemic challenges in education and workforce development. Motivated to further explore these intersections, he went on to earn a PhD in Psychology.
His doctoral research examined the political relationship between then-Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden during the 2008-2009 presidential campaign. By integrating theories of political leadership and psychology, he developed a motive profile using content analysis to assess their implicit motivation and relationship compatibility.
Joyce Strout
Christopher S. Bjornstad, Executive Director
Christopher S. Bjornstad, Executive Director
Joyce Strout is a Nebraska native, graduating with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Business Comprehensive.
She began her career at IBM in Lincoln as a Marketing Rep, Chicago as a Finance/Banking Marketing Rep, Rolling Meadows, IL as a Marketing Manager, IBM HQ as a Regional Industry Marketing Rep, and t
Joyce Strout is a Nebraska native, graduating with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Business Comprehensive.
She began her career at IBM in Lincoln as a Marketing Rep, Chicago as a Finance/Banking Marketing Rep, Rolling Meadows, IL as a Marketing Manager, IBM HQ as a Regional Industry Marketing Rep, and to Philadelphia as a Branch Manager of a $50M branch office with 120 employees and 4,000 customers.
Joyce was President of Chicago’s largest privately held Employment Agency for several years prior to moving to the educational arena as President of a design college (Graphic, Interior, and Fashion Design) in Chicagoland area.
She was named Vice President of Compliance for EDMC, responsible for 106 colleges and their national and programmatic accreditation process. She has accredited over 250 colleges for ABHES, ACICS, and ACCET as Team Lead/Chair.
J.B.STROUT & Co. operated for over 25 years delivering corporate training, consulting, and keynote speeches to large corporations, universities, Fortune 500 firms, and small businesses: Motorola, IBM, Kellogg School of Management, NBC, American Airlines, United Airlines, Real Estate/Hospitality/Manufacturing/Park Districts/and more.
Joyce has been active with her church, P.E.O., AOII International Sorority, U of Nebraska Alumni Association and Mentoring Program, and Panhellenic Council. She has served on several Corporation Boards and has earned numerous awards in her career. Joyce lives in South Carolina and Maine.
Barry Sandrew
Christopher S. Bjornstad, Executive Director
Benjamin Valdez
Dr. Barry Sandrew is a former Harvard neuroscientist turned internationally recognized serial entrepreneur, digital imaging expert, and VFX pioneer. Holding over 37 patents, he has made groundbreaking technological and creative contributions to feature film and television, collaborating with all major Hollywood studios, TV networks, and
Dr. Barry Sandrew is a former Harvard neuroscientist turned internationally recognized serial entrepreneur, digital imaging expert, and VFX pioneer. Holding over 37 patents, he has made groundbreaking technological and creative contributions to feature film and television, collaborating with all major Hollywood studios, TV networks, and cable networks.
In 1987, Sandrew invented digital colorization, leading to the transformation of over 250 films, 180 TV episodes, and 70 cartoons. His work includes color, compositing, and VFX for Spielberg’s We’re Back: A Dinosaur Story, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, War and Remembrance, and the John Lennon documentary Imagine. In 2000, he redefined colorization again, founding Legend Films and producing films for Fox, Sony, Universal, and Paramount.
In 2007, Sandrew pioneered 2D-to-3D film conversion, overseeing the transformation of Alice in Wonderland, the Shrektrilogy, Transformers, and more. Under his leadership, his teams contributed to over 65 of the highest-grossing 3D films of the past 15 years.
Currently, Dr. Sandrew is the Managing Director of the Innovation Hub at Westcliff University, where he launched the Distinguished Innovator Speaker Series and created the IGNITE incubator. He is deeply involved in fostering an entrepreneurial culture and engaging the university in the regional startup ecosystem. A thought leader in AI-driven education, he is reimagining the 21st-century classroom with his latest AI patent portfolio defining, The Socratic Metric.
Benjamin Valdez
Christopher S. Bjornstad, Executive Director
Benjamin Valdez
Benjamin Valdez is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, SD. Southeast Tech is one of four technical colleges in South Dakota. Benjamin holds a Doctorate in Business Administration with an emphasis in educational administration from California Southern University and an Education Specialist
Benjamin Valdez is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, SD. Southeast Tech is one of four technical colleges in South Dakota. Benjamin holds a Doctorate in Business Administration with an emphasis in educational administration from California Southern University and an Education Specialist degree focusing on supervision and leadership from Liberty University. Benjamin has been with Southeast Tech for six years and is responsible for delivering high-quality academic programs, meeting the fast-paced demands of the new economy and workforce needs of the Sioux Falls region, and ensuring equity through access to educational programs for all students.
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