Ensure quality higher education.
Accreditation Roles on Campus
At HLC, we maintain active relationships with our member institutions, with frequent communication, guidance and support. We work closely with executive leaders and those who lead accreditation work on campus.
HLC Institutional Contacts
Executive Roles
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Chief Academic Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
HLC-Specific Roles (appointed by the CEO)
- Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO). Coordinates efforts to ensure their institution meets its obligations of HLC membership. Along with the CEO, one of the primary contacts between the institution and HLC. See below for details about the ALO’s responsibilities.
- Data Update Coordinator. Ensures the accuracy and completion of the Institutional Update.
- Location Coordinator (optional). Maintains the institution’s additional location and campus records in Canopy. (Note: the ALO and CEO may also manage these records.)
- Primary Assurance System Coordinator. Coordinates the development and submission of the institution’s materials for accreditation reviews conducted in the Assurance System.
HLC Members: Keep Your Contacts Up to Date in Canopy
When there are changes to your institution’s HLC contacts, be sure to submit that information in Canopy. This ensures that we send news related to your institution’s accreditation to the right people on campus.
ALOs, CEOs and Data Update Coordinators can make contact changes in the system. Just click “Update Contacts” from the homepage and complete the Contact Update Survey.
ALO Role and Responsibilities
General Communications
With HLC
- Serve as a recipient of HLC communications regarding the institution’s accreditation, in addition to the CEO.
- Stay current with HLC policies and procedures.
- Provide comments to HLC as requested in its consideration of proposed policies, procedures and issues affecting the accreditation relationship.
- Facilitate responses to HLC inquiries, including complaints referred by HLC staff to the CEO.
On Campus
- Disseminate information and answer questions about HLC policies and procedures for all audiences within the institution.
- Maintain the institution’s file of official documents and reports related to the institution’s relationship with HLC.
Reporting Requirements
- Provide oversight and direction for the institution’s Data Update Coordinator to ensure the accuracy of information submitted in the Institutional Update.
- Notify HLC if certain actions are taken by the U.S. Department of Education, state agencies or other recognized accreditors.
Substantive Change
- Notify HLC of changes to the institution’s operations and academic offerings, as required by HLC’s substantive change policy and procedures.
- Provide oversight and direction for the timely submission of substantive change requests and reports required by HLC policy.
Membership Dues and Fees
- Ensure that the institution meets its financial obligations to HLC through the timely payment of dues and fees.
Related Resources
