After eight years, the Higher Learning Commission will return to Park University Nov. 18-20 to take the institution through the accreditation process and Park community members are encouraged to participate.
The Higher Learning Commission, as part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, is an outside body that reviews information about the school to ensure students are receiving a quality education. The HLC will be grading Park University on five different criteria including mission; ethical and responsible conduct; teaching and learning quality; resources; support, teaching and learning evaluation and improvement and resources; planning; and institutional effectiveness.
Students should to be aware of the accreditation status of their campus not only for degree purposes but also for financial aid qualifications.
“This HLC accreditation process is critical to students because not only is it an assessment for Park but it ensures that students are attending an accredited school,” said Clarinda Creighton, associate vice president for Student Affairs.
Park University President Dr. Michael Droge stressed the importance of accreditation for all students – past and present.
“Having a degree from an accredited institution makes transferring credits and continuing degree programs a much smoother transition,” Droge said.
According to Adam Potthast, assistant professor of philosophy and self-study steering committee member, accreditation is also crucial when dealing with the federal government. Park staff, faculty, board members and students have been hard at work on a self-study for the past 18 months to prepare for the HLC visit.
“The self-study is an opportunity for Park to look at not only what we’re doing well but also what we need to improve upon,” Potthast said.
Droge has been a reviewer for the HLC on other campuses and he reflected on how the HLC visit is a positive event for Park.
“Park is the poster university of how to do things right,” Droge said. “Our top priority is the students’ success. Park offers its students higher quality education at a lower cost.”
A new addition to the accreditation process this cycle is the collection of public opinion. The commission will review public opinion to see how the community views Park and if those views are reflected in the HLC observations.
Park is encouraging all community members to participate in the public opinion collection.
“The public opinion is a lot like voting,” said Scott Hageman, professor of geology and self-study steering committee member. “One little voice can make a difference if they speak up. It’s hard to get better if we’re only guessing what needs to be fixed.”
The public is encouraged to submit comments about Park University at www.ncahlc.org and comments should address “substantive matters” related to education quality. All comments must be received by Monday, Oct. 21.
“The public opinion is an opportunity for the community to speak about your experience, no matter what it may have been, at Park,” said Creighton. “It also lets the student proclaim why they chose Park.”
Students are also encouraged to attend the open forum during the HLC visit in November. More information about the HLC visit will be available in upcoming issues of The Stylus.
“Change is constant,” Hageman said. “We need to know which way to change. This process will help to guide that change.”
