HLC reaffirmation of accreditation: Things to think about
Inver Hills Community College is committed to continual quality improvement in providing a superb educational experience to our students. That commitment is sustained and validated by the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), an accreditation pathway of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). AQIP focuses on quality assurance and institutional improvement with the added emphasis of helping institutions achieve ongoing advancements in their programs and mission. The AQIP pathway follows an eight-year cycle. Inver Hills was admitted to AQIP on Nov. 22, 2002.
Inver Hills has reached the end of the AQIP eight-year cycle and is undergoing a Comprehensive Quality Review (CQR). The review is part of a broader comprehensive evaluation to ensure Inver Hills is meeting the Criteria for Accreditation as the college pursues institutional improvement and complies with specific requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. The CQR leads to an action regarding the reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation. An HLC peer review team will be visiting our campus March 20–22, 2017.
What are the Criteria for Accreditation?
The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which the HLC determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. Key Inver Hills administrators and staff have been working with HLC professionals to facilitate the reaffirmation of accreditation process at our college.
As the date approaches for the HLC peer review team visit, the campus community is encouraged to review the Criteria for Accreditation and give some thought to the core components and how Inver Hills is meeting those quality standards. Below is Criterion Three. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support and its full complement of core components.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you review the core components of Criterion Three. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and Support:
- How is diversity addressed in curriculum, academic programs and co-curricular programs?
- What is the college’s faculty credentialing policy and how does this address HLC’s recent changes related to credentialing?
- What professional development opportunities are available for faculty and staff?
- What support and resources are available for faculty who teach online?
- What is the process for providing advising to students?
- How is effective teaching and learning supported by college resources such as technology, labs, library, performance space, clinical sites, collections, etc.?
- What are the college-wide learning outcomes?
Notice for Public Comment
Inver Hills Community College is seeking comments from the public about the college in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The college will host a visit March 20–22, 2017, with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission. Inver Hills Community College has been accredited by HLC since 1976. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. All comments must be received by February 20, 2017.
For more information about the Reaffirmation of HLC Regional Accreditation at Inver Hills Community College, contact:
Carrie Schneider
Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
651-450-3788
