Higher Learning Commission Visit—2008-09
Anderson University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org, 312-263-0456), an organization which evaluates colleges and universities seeking accreditation. The evaluation process typically occurs every ten years and Anderson University is anticipating a visit during the 2008-09 school year.
The preparation for this visit is extending over two academic years and involves many assessment and evaluation activities, analysis by involved stakeholders, and the generation of capabilities and challenges within the institution. All of these endeavors will lead to a self-study document which is submitted to the accrediting organization prior to the visit. There are five criteria which must be addressed:
Mission and Integrity: The organization operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission through structures and processes that involve the board, administration, faculty, staff, and students.
Preparing for the Future: The organization’s allocation of resources and its processes for evaluation and planning demonstrate its capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its education, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Student Learning and Effective Teaching: The organization provides evidence of student learning and teaching effectiveness that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission.
Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge: The organization promotes a life of learning for its faculty, administration, staff, and students by fostering and supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility in ways consistent with its mission.
Engagement and Service: As called for by its mission, the organization identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways both value.
Complete information about the Higher Learning Commission and the five criteria may be found at www.ncahlc.org.
The self-study process will both assist the institution in examining its achievements in meeting its mission since the last visit and aid the organization in planning for the future. Assessment and evaluation processes will facilitate continual improvement of student learning at Anderson University, as it achieves its goal of being a premier academic institution.
The broadly based self-study process involves committees made up of faculty, administration, trustees, staff and students. Beginning their work in January 2007, they are seeking input from Anderson University students, faculty, staff, trustees and other constituents within the served community. Click here to view committee list.
The time line or project plan was developed to guide the self-study process and currently this endeavor is “on-time”. Click here to view timeline.
Questions about the Higher Learning Accreditation self-study process may be addressed to:
Dr. Carl H. Caldwell
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean
chcaldwell@anderson.edu
765-641-4020
