Monday, April 14, 2014

Higher Learning Commission (NCA) Annual Meeting

Each year delegates from hundreds of colleges and universities in the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association gather in Chicago to discuss issues relative to accreditation.

One day (Saturday) of the five-day meeting is a program for presidents and trustees of affiliated institutions.

The morning was devoted to a variety of specific accreditation topics:

·         Next year will be the last for PEAQ reaffirmation reviews; after that, all institutions will be on the Standard, Open or AQIP Pathway.
·         The electronic Assurance System—the HLC online medium for the self-study, the resource room and the team visit report—has been piloted and refined, with good experience for institutions and reviewers. 
·         The criteria that went into effect in January 2013 have been tested through a year of peer reviews, and have undergone two annual revision processes, in which qualitative improvements have been made to the process.

The remainder of the program focused on:

·         An up-to-the-minute assessment, by Terry Hartle, Vice President of the American Council of Education (ACE),  of the climate on Capitol Hill with respect to higher education in general, whether accreditation fits in that climate, and what the timetable and drivers will be for the reauthorization of American higher education. 
·         A panel discussion of the appropriateness of the increased government involvement in higher education that began with the Bush administration and the Spellings Commission, and has continued to grow under the Obama Administration. 
·         A presentation and discussion by Jamienne Studley, Acting Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. She addressed accreditation as the central player in promoting quality and learning outcomes in higher education.
·         A presentation by HLC staff of changes in Commission policies and procedures, including the proposed 8-year model for AQIP and other AQIP updates, the new Commission survey of students as a part of comprehensive evaluations, and direct assessment competency-based programs.
·         A report of the Presidents’ Reauthorization Advisory Council, and
·         The Role of the CEO in the  Accreditation Relationship.

It was also our opportunity, as affiliated institutions, to recognize Dr. Sylvia Manning, who will retire  this year after six years as President of the Higher Learning Commission.  Significant change has occurred in American higher education and accreditation since 2008, and Dr. Manning has represented HLC very well.  She will be succeeded this summer by Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, President of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College in Ohio.  I have a personal appreciation for Dr. Gellman-Danley’s work; I started my professional higher education career at Rio Grande, which is Annie’s hometown and alma mater.  She also served as President of Antioch University McGregor, and was Vice Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and Vice President of Monroe Community College.

American higher education is experiencing a period of radical changes.  I am pleased with our good standing with HLC and have been honored to serve as a peer reviewer during my seven years as President of Bethany College.  I would welcome the opportunity to discuss HLC or national accreditation issues with you, either at the upcoming President’s Roundtable or in an office meeting.