Statement of Accreditation Status
as of June 30, 2024
New Mexico Highlands University
Box 9000
1005 Diamond Avenue
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 425-7511
http://www.nmhu.edu
*Previous names: Institution name changed from New Mexico Normal University to New Mexico Highlands University. (1941)
The information on this page describes the accreditation relationship between this institution and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). General information about HLC and the accreditation process is provided at the end of this document.
Accreditation Information
Current status: Accredited
• Action Letter - Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Accreditation granted: |
|
Most recent reaffirmation of accreditation: 2022 - 2023
Next reaffirmation of accreditation: 2027 - 2028
Upcoming or In-Progress Reviews
Date | Event | Description |
2025 - 2026: | Focused Visit | Other |
2027 - 2028: | Comprehensive Evaluation | |
Most Recent History With HLC
Date | Event | Description |
06/22/2023: | Comprehensive Evaluation | Reaffirm Accreditation with Monitoring |
01/25/2021: | Focused Visit | Accepted |
06/28/2018: | Probation | Continue Accreditation |
08/31/2016: | Comprehensive Evaluation | Place on Probation |
11/10/2015: | Monitoring, Financial Indicator | |
02/24/2014: | Monitoring, Financial Indicator | Accepted - Specific concerns: Even though the University expects their CFI to remain "Below the Zone" and given the positive outlook for the State of New Mexico in regards to state allocation and the revenue outlook for HIS, the team feels that there is nothing immediately dire that warrants immediate attention from HLC. Most of the decline with the CFI is attributed to the $1,000,000 investment with HSI, the $5,000,000 overage of a capital expenditure, stagnant enrollment and reductions in state allocation. Management expects increased revenues through patent commercialization and improved enrollment management practices. If those additional revenues do not materialize, it may be necessary to examine expenditure reductions to eliminate deficit spending. Remaining unrestricted reserves will not support additional deficits. Revenues from tuition and HSI must improve in the next two years or the College could be vulnerable as reserves are dangerously low. The team expects New Mexico Highlands to submit another financial panel report during the next review cycle as projections are for the University to remain "Below the Zone." If the University is required to submit another report due to financial information provided in a HLC institutional Update, the report must include the following: • The plan for improved enrollment practices including an updated enrollment report and efforts to increase tuition revenue and to improve retention rates. • Progress on performance of the Highlands Stable Isotopes, a component unit of NMHU. • An update on the construction cost overruns with the new student center, or any other construction project, including any potential litigation or financial settlement with outside entities. • An update on financial reserves and the plan to increase cash balances. The update should include how the University examines expenditure reductions in order to eliminate deficit spending. |
Student Success Outcomes
Student outcome information, including graduation rates and other measures, is available on the institution's website and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and College Navigator.
• New Mexico Highlands University Student Achievement Data
• College Scorecard: New Mexico Highlands University
• College Navigator: New Mexico Highlands University
Note: The College Scorecard and College Navigator links above will take you to information about the institution's main campus. Some colleges or universities may report separate information on these websites for certain divisions or branch campuses. Search these sites to find this additional information. 
Institutional Characteristics
Please note: All institutions are required to represent themselves accurately and consistently to multiple agencies. Information about the institution that is published by other agencies may appear differently, depending on the timing of the institution's updates to those agencies or those agencies' definitions or standards. For example, an institution's control may be categorized differently by the U.S. Department of Education for other purposes under its standards.
Control
Public
Number of Educational Programs
Degree programs:
- Associate's: 5
- Bachelor's: 41
- Master's: 24
Branch Campuses and Additional Locations
Approved Branch Campuses and Additional Locations
The institution's accreditation includes courses and programs offered at the branch campuses and additional locations listed below. This list includes campuses and locations that are active and inactive (i.e., not currently enrolling students).
Last updated: 11/29/2022
In-State
Branch Campuses
None.
Additional Locations
NMHU @ Rio Rancho - Rio Rancho, New Mexico
NMHU Albuquerque - Albuquerque, New Mexico
NMHU at the Higher Education Center - Santa Fe, New Mexico
NMHU in partnership with San Juan C - Farmington, New Mexico
Out-of-State
Branch Campuses
None.
Additional Locations
None.
International
Branch Campuses
None.
Additional Locations
None.
HLC's Notification Program for Additional Locations
Institutions that meet certain eligibility criteria may apply to participate in HLC's Notification Program for Additional Locations. This program allows institutions to open new locations after notifying HLC and receiving confirmation that the location has been added to our records, rather than applying for approval through the standard substantive change process.
Participation Status
The institution does not participate in the Notification Program for Additional Locations.
About HLC and Accreditation
HLC is an institutional accreditation agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities that are based in the United States.
Institutional accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources. HLC's accreditation includes all degree levels as well as on-site and online course delivery. Institutions of higher education in the United States may also seek accreditation through specialized or programmatic accreditation agencies, which accredit programs, departments or schools within a college or university.
Evaluation Process
Institutions that HLC accredits are evaluated against its Criteria for Accreditation and other HLC requirements. HLC accreditation assures quality by verifying that an institution (1) meets threshold requirements and (2) is engaged in continuous improvement. In addition, all institutions are required to report data annually in the Institutional Update, undergo annual monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators, and adhere to HLC policies and practices.
The accreditation process is based on a system of peer review. Faculty and staff from institutions of higher education serve as HLC peer reviewers conducting accreditation evaluations for other institutions. They make recommendations to HLC’s decision-making bodies, which take final action on institutional evaluations.
Decision Making
HLC's decision-making bodies evaluate and make decisions, called actions, on recommendations from peer reviewers and staff that review institutions for their compliance with HLC's Criteria for Accreditation and other requirements. The decision-making bodies are comprised of institutional representatives and public members. See Decision-Making Bodies and Processes for more information.
Public Information
HLC is committed to providing information to the public regarding accreditation decisions made regarding individual institutions.
Actions that are taken by HLC regarding an institution's accreditation status are disclosed to the public. In cases of reaffirming continued accreditation, placing an institution on or reviewing a sanction, or withdrawing accreditation, the Action Letter issued to the institution is made available on the institution's Statement of Accreditation Status, found by searching the institution's name through HLC's online directory. Public Disclosure Notices (PDNs) are also issued and posted in the directory in cases of sanction, assigning or removing an institutional designation, resignation of accreditation or candidacy, institutional closing or withdrawal of accreditation by HLC. The PDN provides the public with the most applicable information from the posted Action Letter. HLC decision-making outcomes also are summarized on the HLC Institutional Actions page.
Complaints Against Institutions
HLC has a formal complaint process, consisting of an online complaint form for faculty, students and other parties to submit information regarding a member institution’s potential non-compliance with HLC requirements. As stated in HLC policy, the complaints process is designed to enable HLC to review, in a timely and fair manner, information that suggests potential substantive non-compliance with an institution's ability to meet HLC requirements.