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Accreditation Team Visits
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a universally acknowledged standard of institutional quality. Specifically, HLC defines five criteria, which demonstrate institutional effectiveness. The five criteria are:
- Mission;
- Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct;
- Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support;
- Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement;
- Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness
Accreditation by HLC provides assurance to the public that the College has met the established criteria and the evidence indicates that the College will continue to meet them. Jefferson was first accredited by HLC in 1969.
What is HLC?
HLC stands for the “Higher Learning Commission.” The HLC mission is, “Serving the common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning.” HLC accredits colleges and universities in a 19-state region of the United States. HLC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a gatekeeper agency. HLC has agreed to fulfill specific federally defined responsibilities within the accreditation processes to assure quality in higher education for the students who benefit from federal financial aid programs.
Why is accreditation important to Jefferson College and its students?
Re-Accreditation is important! For example:
- Jefferson College transfer courses will continue to be accepted by other colleges.
- Students will continue to have the opportunity to apply for federal financial aid, such as Pell grants.
- Students will be assured that they are receiving a high quality education.
When is the on-site evaluation?
The HLC Peer Review Team will be on our campus March 11-12, 2019.
Peer Review Team
HLC Peer Review Teams are volunteers of approximately 1,600 faculty and administrators from institutions within the 19-state North Central region. They are responsible for assuring that an institution is complying with the accreditation criteria as well as for helping an institution advance within the context of its own mission.
How can you help?
Keep informed about your campus and the accreditation effort so that you can talk knowledgeably to the HLC Peer Review Team when they visit the campus. Visiting team members may talk to individuals or groups informally or formally. Volunteer to be part of a group if a meeting is requested by the HLC Peer Review Team. If you have questions, please feel free to contact members from the Accreditation Committee, or Higher Learning Commission conference attendees or Assurance Argument Task Force Members.
Assurance Argument Criterion Writing Teams
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Criterion 1
|
Criterion 4 | |
| Co-Chairs: | Co-Chairs: | |
| Dr. Diane Arnzen, Director of Project SUCCESS | Ms. Shanie Latham, Associate Professor of English | |
| Mr. Paul Ferber, Associate Professor of Law Enforcement Academy | Mr. Chris Otto, Associate Professor of English | |
| Mr. Bill Sansagraw, previous Instructor of Biomedical Electronics Technology | Mr. Kenny Wilson, Interim Associate Dean of Health Occupation Programs | |
| Committee and Component Researcher & Authors: | Committee and Component Researcher & Authors: | |
| Ms. Erin Bova, Webmaster-Digital Marketing Coordinator | Ms. Janet Akers, Program Director/Assistant Professor of Radiologic Technology | |
| Ms. Patti Christen, previous Jefferson College Foundation Executive Director | Ms. Kelly Almond, previous AEL/GED Head Resource Instructor | |
| Ms. Shanna Meyer, previous Enrollment Services Specialist | ||
| Mr. Wesley Whitfield, Associate Professor of Chemistry | Ms. Lisa Pavia-Higel, Associate Professor of Communication & Theatre | |
| Mr. Richard Stephenson, Coordinator of Academic Success Center | ||
| Ms. Stacey Wilson, Registrar | ||
| Criterion 2 | Criterion 5 | |
| Co-Chairs: | Co-Chairs: | |
| Dr. Ken Boning, Professor of Teacher Education | Ms. Trish Aumann, Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Strategic Planning | |
| Ms. Lisa Pritchard, Director of Library Services | Mr. Allan Wamsley, Senior Director of Online Learning & Assessment | |
| Committee and Component Researchers & Authors: | Committee and Component Researcher & Authors: | |
| Dr. Diane Arnzen, Director of Project SUCCESS | Mr. Joseph Candela, Professor of Welding | |
| Dr. Michael Booker, Interim Associate Dean of Communications & Fine Arts | Ms. Gabrielle Everett, Professor of History | |
| Mr. Joe Kohlburn, Emerging Technologies Librarian | Mr. Daryl Gehbauer, Vice President of Finance and Administration | |
| Dr. Cindy Rossi, Professor of Business | Mr. Richard Hardin, previous Controller | |
| Mr. Tracy James, Senior Director of Information Technology | ||
| Ms. Kathy Johnson, Assistant Professor of Business Management | ||
| Dr. Patricia McDaniel, Professor of Biology | ||
| Mr. Greg McVey, previous Director of Athletics | ||
| Ms. Tasha Welsh, Director of Human Resources | ||
| Criterion 3 | Federal Compliance | |
| Co-Chairs: | Co-Chairs: | |
| Ms. Connie Kuchar, Professor of Mathematics | Ms. Sarah Bright, Director of Student Financial Services | |
| Ms. Dana Nevois, Director of Veterinary Technology | Dr. Amy Kausler, Professor of Psychology | |
| Ms. Niki Vogelsang, Assistant Professor of Health Information Technology | Committee and Component Researcher & Authors: | |
| Committee and Component Researcher & Authors: | Dr. Diane Arnzen, Director of Project SUCCESS | |
| Ms. Leslie Buck, Professor of Psychology | Mr. Roger Barrentine, Director of Public Relations and Marketing | |
| Mr. Scott Cazadd, Associate Professor of Business | Ms. Louise Jadwisiak, previous Assistant Professor of Nursing | |
| Mr. Chris DeGeare, Interim Associate Dean of Business & Technical Education | Ms. Laura Klaus, Interim Director of Area Technical School | |
| Ms. Kathy Johnston, Director of Enrollment & Retention | Ms. Dianne Marquart, Associate Professor of Mathematics | |
| Dr. Andrea St. John, Professor of English | Dr. Dena McCaffrey, Dean of Career & Technical Education | |
| Ms. Suzie Welch, Assistant Professor of Sociology & Social Work | Ms. Elizabeth Steffen, Access Services Librarian | |
| Mr. Allan Wamsley, Senior Director of Online Learning & Assessment | ||
| Ms. Stacey Wilson, Registrar |
