Higher Learning Commission

HLC’s annual conference in April gave attendees the chance to share their experiences and learn from each other. It was also an important opportunity for HLC to learn from our members. 

During the event, we held multiple listening sessions on projects that will guide HLC’s direction for the immediate future: proposed revisions to the Criteria for Accreditation, our next strategic plan, and our new Credential Lab. Here’s what we heard. 

Proposed Criteria Revisions 

HLC’s Board of Trustees approved proposed revisions to the Criteria and related policies on February 29, 2024. We held four listening sessions throughout the conference to hear feedback from institutional representatives and peer reviewers. A few main themes emerged: 

• Overall, attendees expressed support for the proposed policy changes, particularly for the emphasis on institutional mission throughout the Criteria. 

• Feedback regarding the removal of subcomponents from the Criteria was mixed. While some appreciated the simplification of the policy language, others were concerned that the subcomponents provide guidance for institutions in writing their Assurance Argument and that removing them could create confusion. 

• Attendees also identified the opportunity to further clarify certain terms and phrases in the proposed Criteria, such as “student success outcomes” in the proposed Core Component 3.G by adding definitions in HLC’s Glossary. 

• Many attendees emphasized the need for training on the new Criteria for both institutions and peer reviewers before the policy goes into effect in 2025. This will be particularly important in addressing the mixed feedback regarding the possible removal of subcomponents. 

HLC’s Board will consider all feedback received, including from the Annual Conference listening sessions, as well as feedback received through written comments, before taking final action on the proposed Criteria at its June 2024 meeting. We will also use attendees’ input to guide our plans for the transition to the new Criteria. Some information about the transition is available in our proposed Criteria booklet, including our plan to update Providing Evidence for the Criteria for Accreditation to incorporate some of the examples and guidance provided by the current subcomponents. Additional details about training and support will be available after the proposed Criteria are adopted.  

Strategic Plan

As HLC’s EVOLVE 2025 strategic plan comes to a close, we are starting to plan the organization’s next strategic plan. At two listening sessions during the conference, attendees identified trends and topics to address in the next plan: 

• Student outcomes and student success, especially related to data collection, management and analysis 
• Turnover and succession planning at institutions 
• Enrollment and funding challenges at institutions 
• Promoting the value of higher education and the role of accreditation to the public 
• Aligning requirements with other members of the Triad and other accreditors 

As we move forward with developing the next plan, we will provide other opportunities for our members to provide their feedback and suggestions. Stay tuned! 

Credential Lab 

To help inform the work of HLC’s Credential Lab, we asked attendees to share their successes, challenges, and needs for support and resources related to designing short-term credential offerings that assure workforce relevance. Attendees identified a wide range of needs: 

• Model definitions and policies for short-term credentials 
• Guidance on integration, recruitment, governance and finances  
• Collecting and using data about offerings and students across an institution 
• Guidance and parameters for innovation within the short-term credential space 

This feedback is extremely valuable as we plan how the Credential Lab will support institutions and other educational providers. For the latest updates from the Credential Lab, see First Step Toward Identifying Quality Microcredential Organizations.