HLC accreditation site visit is Apr. 29 & 30

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

All faculty and staff members are encouraged to attend “open forum” sessions with the visiting Peer Review Team that take place between 1:30 and 5 p.m. on Monday (see schedule details below).

• 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 a college or university, including academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources.
• Members of the Peer Review Team visiting Cincinnati State 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)

For the sessions not labeled as “open forums” on both days of the site visit, specific employees (and other College stakeholders) have been invited to attend based on their College role and responsibilities.

• If you’re interested in a specific topic and were not invited to participate, you may attend– but please let Associate Provost Denise Rohr know you’re planning to attend (denise.rohr@cincinnatistate.edu).
• A few sessions are closed to employees, including the Peer Review Team meetings with College Trustees, the College Executive Team, Program Advisory Committee members, and students.

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.

• Click to read/download the Assurance Argument (96-page PDF)

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

Monday, April 29 (open forum sessions in bold)

• 7:45-8:00 a.m. – M1 – Peer Review Team arrives on campus; Team leader Dr. Freeze meets with President Posey
• 8:00-8:50 a.m. – M2 – Peer Review Team meets with College President and Executive Team – Summit Restaurant
• 900-9:50 a.m. – M3 – Assurance Argument Team (participants invited) – President’s Dining Room
• 10:00-10:50 a.m. – M4 – Shared Governance (participants invited) – President’s Dining Room
• 11:00-11:50 a.m. – Simultaneous sessions (participants invited)
  • M5 – Focus Area A: Assessment of Student Learning – President’s Dining Room
  • M6 – Focus Area B: Student Retention – Conference Center Main 344-346
  • M7 – Focus Area C: Strategic Planning & Quality Improvement – Conference Center Main 342

• noon-1:15 p.m. – M8 – Peer Review Team Luncheon with Board of Trustees – Summit Restaurant
• 1:30-2:15 p.m. – M9 – 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. – M10 – 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. – M11 – Open Forum – Criterion Five (Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning) – Conference Center Main 344-346
• 4:15-5:00 p.m. – Simultaneous Open Forums
  • M12 – Faculty Open Forum – Conference Center Main 344-346
  • M13 – Staff Open Forum – Conference Center Main 342

• 5:00-6:00 p.m. – M14 – Peer Review Team Tour of Campus Facilities

Tuesday, April 30

• 7:50-800 a.m. – M15 – Dr. Freeze meets with President Posey
• 8:00-9:30 a.m. – M16 – 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)
  • M17 – Distance Education – President’s Dining Room
  • M18 – Dual Enrollment (CCP) – Conference Center Main 344-346
  • M19 – Human Resources – Conference Center Main 342
• 10:45-11:30 a.m. – Simultaneous sessions
  • M20 – Federal Compliance (participants invited) – Conference Center Main 344-346
  • M21 – Drop-in session (open to all) – Conference Center Main 342
• 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – M22 – Peer Review Team meets with students – Summit Restaurant
• 1:15-1:30 p.m. – M23 – Dr. Freeze meets with President Posey
• 1:30-1:45 p.m. – M24 – 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.