American Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education Progr

American Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education ProgrAmerican Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education ProgrAmerican Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education Progr

American Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education Progr

American Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education ProgrAmerican Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education ProgrAmerican Alliance for Accreditation of Short-Term Education Progr

    A³STEP Accreditation

    A New Accreditor focused on Short-Term Education Programs

    A New Accreditor focused on Short-Term Education ProgramsA New Accreditor focused on Short-Term Education ProgramsA New Accreditor focused on Short-Term Education Programs

    Disrupting Post-Secondary Accreditation

    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 

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    No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence

    -Martin Luther King Jr-

     The mission is to expand access to post-secondary education for students pursuing careers in skilled trades and other short-term education programs that lead to gainful employment. Through collaborative partnerships, the agency will ensure innovative and quality educational programming that addresses the evolving needs of culturally diverse communities, advancing equal access to post-secondary education and establishing meaningful career pathways. 

    The Alliance consists of organizations and post-secondary institutions that offer short-term education programs, specifically skilled trade programs, throughout the United States and territories. The agency will work with the skilled trade organizations and current post-secondary institutions that offer training programs in General Contractors; Electrician; Plumbing; HVAC; Welding; Computer Programming and Coding; Commercial Trucking; Auto Mechanics; and other skilled trade programs.  

    As required by US Department of Education (US ED) regulations, the Alliance will partner with organizations and post-secondary institutions in early 2025 to adopt its accreditation model over a period of two years (the required team timeframe by the US ED). At the end of two years, the agency will submit an application for recognition to the US ED as an institutional accreditor. 

    The Alliance strives to reduce the administrative costs of seeking and maintaining accreditation by adopting a virtual review process for all stages of accreditations, except where it is mandated by the US ED to conduct an on-site visit. In addition, the review process will be conducted using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools that will reduce the time and resources needed to evaluate an institution’s compliance with the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards. 


    The Alliance accreditation model is a modern approach to post-secondary education accreditation, designed to simplify and accelerate the accreditation process for organizations with a limited understanding of higher education accreditation. The model emphasizes clarity, efficiency, and accessibility through virtual communication and AI integration.  The key features of the accreditation model are grouped within the following three-step process:

    1. Self-Assessment:  Organizations complete an initial self-assessment using an AI-driven online platform and support from the Alliance staff.
    2. Documentation: Institutions upload necessary documentation through a secure, cloud-based portal. AI tools analyze and verify documents for completeness and accuracy, reducing administrative burdens.
    3. Evaluation of Compliance:  Alliance staff utilize AI-assisted tools to cross-reference submitted documents with accreditation standards to ensure compliance.

    The Board of Trustees

    Christopher S. Bjornstad, Board Chair

    Christopher S. Bjornstad, Board Chair

    Christopher S. Bjornstad, Board Chair

    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. 


    Beyond research, he has dedicated his career to advancing education and workforce development. He actively serves on nonprofit boards focused on breaking down barriers to education, ensuring that more individuals—especially those from underserved communities—have pathways to high-quality training and career opportunities in high-demand industries.


    With a commitment to innovation, his latest research is focused on how AI and data-driven strategies can transform post-secondary education, accreditation, and workforce readiness, ultimately shaping a more accessible and efficient educational landscape.

    Joyce Strout

    Christopher S. Bjornstad, Board Chair

    Christopher S. Bjornstad, Board Chair

    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, Board Chair

    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, Board Chair

    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. 

    What's coming:

    File Tax-Exempt Status documentation with 

    the U.S. Department of Internal Revenue Service 

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    What's next: Inagural Board Meeting (February 2025)

    NC Registered Businesses

    Year 1: Planning and Preparation (2025)

    January – March

    1. Develop Mission Statement and Organizational Structure (January) [Complete]
    2.  Identify Initial Board of Trustees (January) [Complete]
    3. File Articles of Incorporation (NC Articles of Incorporation) (January) [Complete]
    4. Launch Social Media presence (February 14th) [Complete]
    5. Attend CECU Washington Briefing & Advocacy Day [Complete]
    6. Research Legal and Regulatory Requirements for Nonprofit Organizations [Complete]
    7. File Tax-Exempt Status documentation with the U.S. Department of Internal Revenue Service (March 31st)
    8. Inaugural Board Meeting (March)

    April – June

    1. Define Accreditation Criteria and Standards (Month 4)
    2. Engage Stakeholders and Conduct Outreach Activities (Month 5)
    3. Develop Resources to conduct meetings with Legislators (Example) 
    4. Finalize Accreditation Process and Application Procedures (Month 6)

    July – September 

    1. Conduct Initial Training for Accreditation Reviewers and Staff (Month 7)
    2. Develop Communication and Marketing Plan (Month 8)
    3. Establish Review Committee and Subject Matter Expert Panels (Month 12)

    Volunteer with American Alliance for Accreditation of Short-term Education Programs

    Join our team of volunteers and make a difference in your community. Whether you can give a few hours a week or a few hours a month, your time and skills are appreciated.

    Partner with the Alliance

    The Alliance is currently seeking partnerships with post-secondary institutions, workforce development organizations and small businesses offering training programs in the skilled trades to pilot its accreditation model. To learn more, contact Christopher S. Bjornstad, at csbjornstad@a3stepaccreditation.org 

    Contact

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    Christopher S. Bjornstad, Board Chair

    8480 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27615, United States

    csbjornstad@a3stepaccreditation.org

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