Dr. Cynthia Swain, ASU's Testing Coordinator (photo credit: David Campbell/ASU).
ASU's Testing Center is First HBCU in Alabama and Fourth in the Nation to Receive NCTA Certification
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University has gained another important designation. The Testing and Psychological Services Center (TPSC) has earned “Test Center Certification” by its accrediting organization, the National College Testing Association (NCTA). The certification is in recognition of the centers outstanding testing practices.
Alabama State University is the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the state of Alabama to become a Certified Testing Center and only the fourth HBCU in the nation to reach this professional milestone.
"Alabama State University's Testing and Psychological Services Center is one amongst a growing number of test centers in the United States and around the world to have completed this intensive certification process, which will be in place for five years and can be renewed by demonstrating continued compliance to national standards," said Dr. Cynthia Swain, Testing Coordinator, ASU's office of Institutional Effectiveness.
Swain explained that the certification was obtained for demonstrating numerous above-average standards that included maintaining high test administration standards and for providing excellent service to a wide variety of students and community members in the performance of the center’s duties. The criteria for achieving certification are based on the NCTA professional standards and guidelines, which are in place to guide post-secondary test centers in the delivery of quality testing programs.
"Our ASU Testing Center is a student support unit within the department of Institutional Effectiveness under the leadership of Dr. Christine C. Thomas whose leadership style is an important asset to the success of our Center," stated Swain, a Wilcox County native. "I greatly appreciate her leadership role at ASU and thank her for always encouraging me because this was a challenging certification to complete, which spanned over a year."
SWAIN AND FAMILY ARE DEVOTED ASU ALUMNA
Having the Center’s work recognized with the prestigious certification is especially gratifying to Swain, a three time graduate of Alabama State University who earned a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law from ASU.
"This is a massive accomplishment for Alabama State University's Testing Center and with this accomplishment, the Testing Center will continue to support our students, faculty, and the community," Swain added.
ASU'S TESTING CENTER
The Testing Center at ASU helps support assessment efforts in the division of Institutional Effectiveness by providing comprehensive testing and assessment services to ensure instructional programs and teaching and learning indicators reflect higher education standards.
The Testing Center functions primarily to facilitate transitions to and within the University by providing undergraduate and graduate entrance exams, University course placement exams, exams for course credit, exams to meet graduation requirements, and professional and correspondence exams for the community. In addition, the Testing Center adheres to the nationally recognized National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines to meet the growing needs of our students, faculty, administration, external constituents, and the greater Montgomery and River Region community.
ABOUT THE NCTA
The National College Testing Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of professionalism and high-quality service in the administration of testing programs, offers certification to college and university test centers that demonstrate exemplary practices. NCTA membership numbers more than 2,200 testing professionals from over 650 colleges and universities, as well as 50 test companies and organizations offering test-related products and services.
Contact the Testing Center at 334-229-4864 for more information about the numerous testing services provided,
or go to the website at www.alasu.edu/administration/
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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