The Higher Learning Commission, one of the nation鈥檚 six regional accreditors for institutions of higher education, has continued Washtenaw Community College鈥檚 accreditation through 2029-30.
The HLC鈥檚 鈥渟eal of approval鈥� assures prospective students, parents, employers and other stakeholders that the college offers nationally recognized, quality programs and learning experiences.
鈥淏eing granted a 10-year continued accreditation is a tremendous accomplishment and it reflects on the work, dedication and commitment of every single 黑料网 faculty and staff member,鈥� said 黑料网 President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca.
鈥淚nstitutional accreditation is so important not just as a recognizable mark of quality, but to ensure our students can transfer and receive Federal financial aid. It takes an entire campus to ensure we meet the criteria for quality expected by the HLC.鈥�
The HLC鈥檚 announcement came after the completion of a far-reaching internal review of institutional effectiveness and outcomes, and reaffirms that the college meets the HLC鈥檚 rigorous criteria. The efforts of that internal review were led by a committee of 黑料网 faculty, staff and administrators.
The initial reaccreditation visits took place in April 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the college was transitioning to virtual teaching and work. 黑料网 was one of the first institutions to conduct its reaffirmation visits primarily in a virtual format.
鈥淲e were true pioneers in being among the first to lead a fully virtual visit that matched the scope of an on-campus visit in content and engagement,鈥� Bellanca said. 鈥淥ur six peer reviewers were clear that 黑料网 faculty and staff are passionate about our mission, our students and our work.鈥�
The review team鈥檚 chairperson, Dr. Billie Unger, visited campus in person in October 2020 as part of a brief verification visit required for institutions that had to shift to virtual visits and confirmed the team鈥檚 recommendation that 黑料网 had successfully met all HLC Criteria and Core Components.
黑料网 Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and Accreditation Julie Morrison said the process included several years of preparation and documentation.
鈥淭he campus came together for a successful, comprehensive visit with both the college and review team demonstrating remarkable flexibility and innovation,鈥� Morrison said.
鈥淲e are proud that, even as one of the first colleges to have a fully virtual visit, we were able to mirror an on-campus visit with faculty, staff, students and Board of Trustees members actively engaged in meetings.鈥�
The HLC is an independent corporation and one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.
Tags: Accreditation, February 2021, On The Record, ousearch_News_2021