Building Chemistry and Excellence: Reflections on the ACBSP Accreditation Visit

In September, I led an incredible team for the ACBSP accreditation site visit to a North Carolina college, joined by two dynamic professionals, Dr. Ravin Gore-Overby and Dr. Catherine McBride. Our mission was to evaluate and guide the institution toward accreditation success. It was an intense experience requiring focus, precision, and teamwork—crucial for success under a compressed schedule.

From the moment we arrived, I could tell we had great synergy. In many ways, we felt like the Justice League—each of us bringing our unique expertise, combining our strengths, and aligning toward a shared goal. Dr. Gore brought her passion for business education, and Dr. McBride added her strategic insights as an experienced program director. Together, we functioned as a cohesive unit, working tirelessly to assess the college’s program and prepare the feedback report.

Our journey was not without its challenges. The high-stakes nature of accreditation work meant that every decision we made was crucial in setting a course for academic excellence. Yet, the chemistry we built during the visit made the experience rewarding. We learned to trust each other, leverage our talents, and focus on our collective impact, which was truly inspiring and motivating.

This visit reinforced something fundamental: Great teams require more than individual talent—they require chemistry, empathy, and alignment with a shared mission. Pioneers like me thrive in such environments, representing only 7% of the global population. While pioneers often take on complex tasks and thrive on challenges, building trust and cooperation within the team to drive sustainable change is essential, which reassures and instills confidence in our collective abilities.

I am grateful to Dr. Gore and Dr. McBride for their professionalism and dedication throughout this journey. This experience reminded me that leadership is not about doing things alone—it’s about inspiring and empowering others to move forward together.

Thank you to ACBSP for the opportunity to serve, learn, and grow as a team. I look forward to applying these lessons to build a more substantial business school at Langston University.