NC-SARA engages with several advisory committees to help provide feedback on or guide the work in specific areas.
NC-SARA Data Advisory Committee
The purpose of the NC-SARA Data Advisory Committee is to collaborate with and advise NC-SARA about data and research needs; to make recommendations on reporting requirements; to consider data reporting comments/questions submitted by states and institutions during the reporting period; to provide direction on potential research projects; and to act as a sounding board on data issues in general. The Committee serves in an advisory capacity to NC-SARA, with virtual meetings twice per year and one face-to-face meeting per year and possible conversations by email in between.
NC-SARA SPE Advisory Committee
The purpose of the SPE Advisory Committee is to collaborate with and advise NC-SARA about SPE training needs and priorities, educational programs (e.g., Fall SPE Conference, Spring SPE Workshop), the Annual SPE Survey, and data reporting to states. The Committee will also serve as an important component of the SARA Learning Community to help harvest from and share effective practices across the field, and to get feedback from SPEs on ideas for SPE outreach and engagement. The Committee serves in an advisory capacity with regular and substantive engagement.
NC-SARA Institution Advisory Committee
The purpose of the NC-SARA Institution Advisory Committee is to collaborate with and advise NC-SARA about needs, engagement priorities, and programming for institutions (e.g., the annual In The Field institution conference, workshops, webinars, online training modules, etc.). The Committee will serve as an important component of the SARA community to help harvest from and share effective practices across the field to support SARA compliance; to be a direct voice from institutions in planning programming; and to get feedback from institutions on ideas. The Committee will serve in an advisory capacity to NC-SARA and the regional compacts’ SARA dedicated staff, with virtual meetings three times per year and engagement by email in between.
NC-SARA SARA Portal Advisory Committee
The Sara Portal Advisory Committee, comprising a group of dedicated State Portal Entities (SPEs), serves a dual-purpose mission within our organization. Not only does this committee come together every other month to tackle the technical challenges and opportunities for enhancement within the SARA Portal, but it also delves into the complex policy-related issues that emerge across states and regions. These "super users" of the portal provide invaluable hands-on guidance, advocating for functionalities and improvements that resonate with the needs of all SPEs. Beyond the technical aspects, the committee's discussions on policy aim to foster a more cohesive and cooperative interstate and interregional framework, ensuring that the SARA Portal not only meets technical standards of excellence but also aligns with the broader policy objectives and regulatory landscapes faced by our users. This balanced focus ensures that the portal evolves in a way that is both technologically robust and sensitive to the dynamic policy environment in which our states and regions operate.