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Unsure what happens during an HLC accreditation site visit? Attend an info session on Apr. 25 or 26 to prepare.

Academics, Announcements, Community, Faculty & Staff, Students
Apr 24, 2024
Cincinnati State Clifton Campus

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Comprehensive Evaluation accreditation site visit takes place April 29-30, 2024, on Cincinnati State’s Clifton Campus.

  • The Higher Learning Commission is one of seven independent accrediting organizations that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • HLC validates the quality of higher education institutions by evaluating multiple aspects of the college or university, including academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources.
  • Institutions that HLC accredits are evaluated using a set of standards that institutions must meet to receive and/or maintain accredited status.

All faculty and staff members are encouraged to attend “open forum” sessions with the visiting Peer Review Team on Monday, Apr. 29 (see schedule details below). For other sessions on both days of the site visit, specific employees have been invited to attend based on their College role and responsibilities.

  • Students are invited to meet with the Peer Review Team on Tuesday, Apr. 30, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Summit Restaurant. Lunch will be provided.
  • Community representatives, including Program Advisory Committee members and Cincinnati State Foundation Board members, have been invited to meet with the Peer Review Team on Tuesday, Apr. 30, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Summit Restaurant.
  • Any member of the community may drop-in to talk to the Peer Review Team on Tuesday, Apr. 30, from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. in the Main Building Conference Center.

“Assurance Argument” document describes how Cincinnati State meets HLC accreditation criteria

Prior to the site visit, the College prepared a 96-page Assurance Argument. This document describes the College’s processes, procedures, and activities that ensure the College meets HLC accreditation criteria. The document also provides supporting examples and evidence.

Information Sessions on Apr. 25 & 26 help employees prepare for the site visit

To prepare for the site visit, Provost Robbin Hoopes and Associate Provost Denise Rohr are leading information sessions via Zoom.

  • Employees are welcome to attend an information session, as your schedule allows. Those who have not experienced an accreditation site visit are encouraged to attend.
  • The information sessions are intended to help employees understand the purpose of the site visit, how the College prepared for the visit, what to expect during site visit sessions, and the kinds of questions that members of the visiting Peer Review Team might ask when they meet with employees.

Information sessions are available:

Schedule for Cincinnati State’s HLC Accreditation Site Visit – April 29-30, 2024

The schedule was prepared by the Peer Review Team that will conduct the site visit.

Peer Review Team Members are:

  • Chair – Dr. Jackie L. Freeze, Administrator Emeritus/Retired VP Student Services, Western Wyoming Community College (Rock Springs, Wyoming)
  • Dr. Marty L. Bachman, Nursing Chair, Front Range Community College (Westminster, Colorado)
  • Dr. Kristen Ball, Program Coordinator/Assistant Professor, Kansas City Kansas Community College (Kansas City, Kansas)
  • James Bente, MBA, Vice President of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, Illinois)
  • Dr. Amy Diaz, President, Maricopa Community Colleges – GateWay Community College (Phoenix, Arizona)

Monday, April 29 (open forum sessions in bold)

  • 7:45-8:00 a.m. – Peer Review Team arrives on campus; Team leader Dr. Freeze meets with President Posey
  • 8:00-8:50 a.m. – Peer Review Team meets with College President and Executive Team – Summit Restaurant
  • 900-9:50 a.m. – Assurance Argument Team (participants invited) – President’s Dining Room
  • 10:00-10:50 a.m. – Shared Governance (participants invited) – President’s Dining Room
  • 11:00-11:50 a.m. – Simultaneous sessions (participants invited)
    • Focus Area A: Assessment of Student Learning – President’s Dining Room
    • Focus Area B: Student Retention – Conference Center Main 344-346
    • Focus Area C: Strategic Planning & Quality Improvement – Conference Center Main 342
  • noon-1:15 p.m. – Peer Review Team Luncheon with Board of Trustees – Summit Restaurant
  • 1:30-2:15 p.m. – Open Forum – Criterion One (Institutional Mission) and Criterion Two (Institutional Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct) – Conference Center Main 344-346
  • 2:30-3:15 p.m. – Open Forum – Criterion Three (Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support) and Criterion Four (Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement) – Conference Center Main 344-346
  • 3:30-4:15 p.m. – Open Forum – Criterion Five (Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning) – Conference Center Main 344-346
  • 4:15-5:00 p.m. – Simultaneous Open Forums
    • Faculty Open Forum – Conference Center Main 344-346
    • Staff Open Forum – Conference Center Main 342
  • 5:00-6:00 p.m. – Peer Review Team Tour of Campus Facilities

Tuesday, April 30

  • 8:00-9:30 a.m. – Peer Review Team meets with Community Advisory Committees, Foundation Board Members, & Community Representatives (participants invited) – Summit Restaurant
  • 9:45-10:30 a.m. – Simultaneous sessions (participants invited)
    • Distance Education – President’s Dining Room
    • Dual Enrollment (CCP) – Conference Center Main 344-346
    • Human Resources – Conference Center Main 342
  • 10:45-11:30 a.m. – Simultaneous sessions
    • Federal Compliance (participants invited) – Conference Center
    • Drop-in session (open to all) – Conference Center
  • 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Peer Review Team meets with students – Summit Restaurant
  • 1:15-1:30 p.m. – Dr. Freeze meets with President Posey
  • 1:30-1:45 p.m. – Exit Meeting – President’s Dining Room

Note: The Common Time session previously scheduled for Apr. 29 has been canceled, since HLC site visit activities will occur during that time.

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