The Knight Readers Initiative: SWAU's New Quality Enhancement Plan

By Maritza Ortiz

Southwestern Adventist University continues to look for ways for its students to learn and grow. One way this is done is through the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), part of the accreditation process through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The QEP is a 10-year plan that each accredited college and university must develop to improve student performance. SWAU has just launched its third QEP titled Knight Readers, focused on improving reading skills, reducing reading anxiety, and fostering a culture of reading on campus. This article will look closer at the new QEP program with the help of Renard Doneskey, PhD, professor of English and director of the QEP program.

SACSCOC requires Southwestern to submit a QEP every ten years. The goal is to identify an area where students’ academic performance could improve and create a solution. The QEP “must focus on student improvement,” according to Doneskey. It’s an opportunity for SWAU to reflect on students' challenges and create effective plans to help them overcome them.

SWAU has offered two previous QEPs. Introduced twenty years ago, the first focused on critical thinking. The second QEP, which has just ended after a decade, focused on Whole Person Wellness. Using the CREATION acronym (Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook, and Nutrition), this plan aimed to improve students’ holistic well-being.

As SWAU completes its Whole Person Wellness QEP, attention has shifted to the newly launched Knight Readers initiative. This program is designed to improve students’ relationship with reading.

The name Knight Readers was chosen to tie in with the SWAU mascot, the Knight. The initiative isn’t just about getting students to read more, but rather helping them enjoy it, reduce frustration with academic reading, and foster a campus-wide culture that values the written word.

“We want students to feel less anxious when approaching reading assignments,” says Doneskey. “The Knight Readers initiative aims to help students see reading as an enjoyable, enriching experience, not a burdensome task.”

The journey to selecting Knight Readers as the new QEP was both thoughtful and thorough. Last year, Marcel Sargeant, PhD, SWAU’s accreditation liaison with SACSCOC, began the process of discussing with faculty what the next QEP could be. The first step involved identifying a “problem” area that could be improved to enhance student success.

“The process wasn’t just about finding any issue. It had to be a significant area where students struggle,” says Doneskey. “We looked at multiple areas, but after much research, it became clear that reading was a challenge faced by students both nationally and at SWAU.”

Knight Readers will not require new classes or changes to the existing curriculum. Students won’t have to worry about additional coursework being added to their schedules. Instead, the plan will be implemented into existing classes, with faculty taking time during the semester to focus on reading comprehension and enjoyment.

“We don’t want this to feel like extra work for students,” Doneskey explained. “Faculty will introduce reading strategies within the context of their current courses, making it relevant to their subject matter.”

For example, faculty have been trained on reading strategies such as the “Think Aloud” method, which involves verbalizing thoughts while reading to improve comprehension, and textbook analysis techniques, which help students better understand key concepts in academic texts. Instructors will incorporate these methods into their lessons, helping students develop better reading habits.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Knight Readers QEP is its focus on creating a reading culture at SWAU. Beyond classroom instruction, the plan will promote book clubs to encourage students to engage with literature in a social, relaxed setting.

Currently, at least three book clubs have started. Pastor Russ Laughlin leads a club reading Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, a book focused on personal and spiritual growth. Aylinne Ross hosts a book club centered on mystery and thriller novels, with the first book being Behind Closed Doors. Renard Doneskey himself leads a club dedicated to Great Books with the first title being Henderson, the Rain King. These clubs provide students with a diverse range of literature and opportunities for engagement outside the classroom.

“We hope to make reading a more communal activity,” said Doneskey. “Our goal is to inspire students to share their reading experiences, participate in discussions, and ultimately make reading a bigger part of their lives.”