Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
2017-2018
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Accreditation is the process for assuring and improving the quality of higher education
 Provides evidence to the public we are accountable for the services and programs we offer
 Allows the institution to receive Title IV —
Financial Aid Funds
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HLC serves 1,000+ institutions in 19 states
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Focus on student learning
Education as a public purpose
Education for a diverse, technological, globally connected world
A culture of continuous improvement
Evidence-based institutional learning and self-presentation
Integrity, transparency and ethical behavior or practice
Governance for the well-being of the institution
Planning and management of resources to ensure institutional sustainability
Mission-centered evaluation
Accreditation through peer review 4

Northern Arizona University
Mission Statement
To provide an outstanding undergraduate residential education strengthened by research, graduate and professional programs, and sophisticated methods of distance delivery and innovative new campuses and programs throughout the state.
Values
Excellence in
Education
Student
Success
Educational
Access
Diversity Integrity Civility
Strategic Goals
Student Success, Global Engagement, Commitment to
Native Americans, Diversity, Civic Engagement and community building; nationally recognized research excellence; sustainability and effectiveness 5

1997-1998 HLC Comprehensive Review
 Conditional Accredited Status, concerns

 strategic planning
 assessment of student learning
In 2002, Accredited Status obtained through interim report and site visit
2007-2008 HLC Comprehensive Review
 Successful re-affirmation of accreditation
2017-2018
• Eligible for Open Pathways
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Required Processes in the 10-year Cycle
1 Quality Initiative Project
Continual improvement project
Between Years 5-9
2 Quality Assurance Process
Evidence to support the criteria and federal regulations
Year 4 – online review
Year 10 – online review and comprehensive site visit
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Student Success Programs: Using Assessment as a Continual Improvement Strategy
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NAU’s Quality Initiative
Student Success Programs: Using Assessment as a Continual Improvement Strategy
Conduct research study
Submit
Quality
Initiative
Report
Utilize QI results to improve retention
Receive feedback from
HLC
Identify next
QI project
AY 13-14 AY 14-15 AY 15-16 AY 16-17 AY 17-18
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Assurance Argument –
Narrative telling NAU’s story about how we meet the criteria
Evidence File in Assurance System –
Electronic documentation supporting the criteria
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NAU’s Quality Initiative
Student Success Programs: Using Assessment as a Continual Improvement Strategy
Conduct research study
Submit
Quality
Initiative
Report
Utilize QI results to improve retention
Receive feedback from
HLC
Identify next
QI project
AY 13-14 AY 14-15 AY 15-16 AY 16-17 AY 17-18
NAU’s Quality
Assurance
Identify Evidence, strengths, areas for improvement
Assumed
Practices
Campus
Engagement
Write Assurance
Argument
Complete Federal
Compliance
Communication efforts
Submit
Quality
Assurance
Argument &
Federal
Compliance
Report
Fall 2017
Site Visit
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1 Mission
2
Integrity: Ethical and
Responsible Conduct
3
Teaching and Learning:
Quality, Resources and Support
4
Teaching and Learning:
Evaluation and Improvement
5
Resources, Planning and
Institutional Effectiveness
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Criterion 2: Integrity
The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
Core
Component
Sub-
Components
2.E. The institution ensures that faculty, students, and staff acquire, discover, and apply knowledge responsibly.
1. The institution provides effective oversight and support services to ensure the integrity of research and scholarly practice conducted by its faculty, staff, and students.
2. Students are offered guidance in the ethical use of information resources.
3. The institution has and enforces policies on academic honesty and integrity.
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 Federal Compliance Working
Group will document how NAU meets the federal regulations
 Required by all institutions receiving Title IV funding
(financial aid)
 Every 10 years
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HLC peer reviewers evaluate Assurance
Filing and Federal
Compliance report
Focused site visit
HLC Peer Reviewers evaluate each Criterion and each Core Component and indicate whether NAU met without concerns met with concerns
Does not meet
The institution meets the Criterion only if all
Core Components are met. The institution must be judged to meet all five Criteria for Accreditation to merit continued Accredited Status.
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Visit nau.edu/Provost/Accreditation hlcommission.org
Contact
Laurie.Dickson@nau.edu
Becky.Butcher@nau.edu
April.Peters@nau.edu
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