Higher Learning Commission

Dr. Purva DeVol leads initiatives in strategic planning, workforce development, grants, and more in her role as the Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois.  

She first started with HLC as an Accreditation Liaison Officer in 2014 and has served as a peer reviewer since 2015. She was recognized at the 2022 HLC Annual Conference with the Eagle Eye Peer Corps Award for her astute attention to detail in her peer review work. She is also a mentor for the HLC Assessment Academy and chairs substantive change peer review teams. 

For her Ph.D. in Leadership (one of her two doctorate degrees), she wrote her dissertation on accreditation and student outcomes for all 110+ HLC-accredited institutions in Illinois. 

When and how did you first learn about accreditation? 

I first learned about it while working on reaccreditation for a high school. This experience sparked my interest, so when I transitioned to work at a community college, I was eager to learn about postsecondary accreditation with HLC. 

How do you explain your work with HLC to people who aren’t familiar with accreditation, in 10 words or less? 

Evaluating colleges and universities to ensure continuous improvement and excellence. 

Why did you want to get involved with HLC? 

My journey with HLC began nearly a decade ago as an ALO, when I learned the policies and procedures affecting students and employees. I became a peer reviewer to deepen my impact on student outcomes and contribute to institutional improvement on a broader scale.  

What aspects of your background have been particularly helpful in your work with HLC? 

My diverse experience in higher education, including teaching and administration, has been invaluable. This background allows me to understand and address the unique challenges and opportunities institutions and their students face. 

What have you learned from working with HLC that’s been beneficial to you? 

Working with HLC has been the most enriching professional development of my career. The continuous training and exposure to best practices enable me to bring valuable insights back to my college, helping us to enhance our academic and student support and institutional effectiveness. Serving as both a peer reviewer and ALO has been key to learning, sharing, and adopting best practices. 

What has been one of your most memorable experiences working with HLC? 

A standout experience was conducting an additional location visit in Japan. Engaging with students and understanding the cultural context of their education was profoundly enlightening and underscored the universal impact of quality education. 

How do you find the time to volunteer with HLC? 

I am fortunate to have a strong support system that allows me to prioritize my time with HLC. This support enables me to balance my professional responsibilities and volunteer commitments. The insights I gain from volunteering with HLC enrich my job, and I truly enjoy both roles. 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I aspired to be a doctor. My passion for helping others drove my early interest in biology and healthcare. This foundational interest ultimately shaped my career path in education, where I could make a broad and lasting impact on student success and well-being. 

What is your greatest career or life achievement so far?   

My greatest achievement is having a meaningful impact on student and institutional outcomes. Experiences in teaching, staff, and administrative roles have enabled me to collaborate with others to drive success for both students and institutions. Whether in organizational development, student services, developing curriculum, adjunct teaching, or securing grants for student programs, I’ve learned how to positively impact students and employees from multiple perspectives.  

What’s your favorite part of being a member of the HLC community? 

The best part is collaborating with exceptional colleagues from across the nation. The HLC community is a diverse group of professionals who bring a wealth of expertise. Working together, we break down silos to focus on enhancing institutional effectiveness and student success at colleges and universities.  

Interested in becoming a peer reviewer? 

HLC will accept applications for new peer reviewers this fall. Learn more about who we’re looking for and look for more information in the next issue of the Leaflet.