The Leaflet

Published six times a year, the Leaflet newsletter provides updates, news and resources regarding HLC, accreditation and the higher education industry.

January 2025

  • From the desk of Barbara Gellman-Danley, HLC President

    BGD Says

    HLC is here for you!

  • Two multicolored gears with HLC logo in the background

    Coming Soon: Assurance Filings in Canopy 

    An update on HLC’s work to build Assurance Filings and Reviews into our Canopy system.

  • Two people looking at a laptop

    Institutional Update Opens March 3 

    See what’s new for 2025 and start preparing your institution’s information.

  • A magnifying glass over a bar graph with institution icons in it

    HLC By the Numbers: Institutions and the Criteria 

    See the trends related to the effectiveness of the Criteria for Accreditation.

  • HLC Vice President of Accreditation Liaisons Linnea Stenson and Vice President of Systems and Accreditation Services Pat Newton-Curran at the HLC Annual Conference

    Higher Learning 2025: See the Full Schedule

    See the sessions for HLC’s Annual Conference to be held April 5–8 and register before early bird rates end!

  • Hands holding puzzle pieces together

    New Tribal Law Program Engages Navajo Nation

    Diné College is breaking barriers with a new program to increase knowledge about Navajo law and engage the community.

  • The U.S. Capitol building

    Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update 

    This month features an updated HLC Advocacy Agenda and New FAFSA Legislation.

  • Academy Mentor Kim Roufs

    10 Questions for Academy Mentor Kim Roufs  

    See how Kathleen (Kim) Roufs’ experience as an HLC Academy mentor keeps her grounded in higher education.

  • People raising their hands in a meeting room

    Civic Engagement Momentum Building at HLC Institutions  

    HLC’s institutions have overwhelmingly demonstrated that they share a commitment to civic engagement and the value it holds for the success of their graduates.

  • Credential Lab | Higher Learning Commission logo

    Promoting Educational Alignment to Workforce Needs 

    HLC has a new tool for institutions to create “microcredential partnerships with purpose.”

Leaflet Archive

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s president gives an update in the wake of the election results.

  • Comment on Proposed Policy Changes

    The proposals would modify HLC’s policies on the Open and Standard Pathways, risk indicators, teach-out arrangements and special monitoring.

  • Elevating Student Success in 2025

    New policies and procedures will strengthen HLC’s ability to evaluate and support institutional efforts to improve student success.

  • Higher Learning 2025: Register Now

    Register for HLC’s Annual Conference, April 5–8, 2025 in Chicago.

  • Revised Criteria for Accreditation FAQs

    Find your answers to frequently asked questions about the revised Criteria for Accreditation.

  • HLC’s Opportunities for International Engagement

    Thinking globally is not new at HLC, but interest in accreditation practices worldwide is growing.

  • HLC Assessment Academy Holds Oct. 2024 Graduation

    Nineteen member institutions, one of the largest groups to date, graduated from HLC’s Assessment Academy.

  • Advocacy and Higher Ed Policy Update

    Election analysis – what does this mean for accreditation and higher ed?

  • National Humanities Medal Awarded to HLC Board of Trustees Member 

    Dr. Robert Martin, a member of the HLC Board of Trustees since 2014, was recognized in October for the distinguished award.

  • Q&A with Academy Mentor & Peer Reviewer Chandra Arthur

    HLC Academy mentor and peer reviewer Chandra D. Arthur leads program accreditation and health care initiatives in her day job.

  • BGD Says

    Welcome to the fall semester!

  • 2024 Substantive Change Updates

    Changes this year include a new application and guidelines for reduced-credit bachelor’s programs, a redesigned screening form for contractual arrangements, clarified definitions, and more.

  • Explore the New HLCommission.org

    With refreshed content and improved navigation, the new website makes it easy to find the information you need about accreditation, programming, initiatives and other HLC news.

  • Providing Evidence for the Revised Criteria

    Review HLC’s updated guidance and examples of evidence for the revised Criteria for Accreditation.

  • HLC By the Numbers

    Enrollment at HLC member institutions is showing potential signs of recovery from the pandemic, based on HLC’s analysis of the 2024 Institutional Update.

  • Higher Learning 2025: What’s New?

    Learn about new programming and updates for the 2025 HLC Annual Conference.

  • Learn and Grow With HLC’s Peer Corps: Apply Today!

    We’re accepting applications to join the Peer Corps through this Friday, September 20, 2024. 

  • Design of Credential Lab Innovation Center Begins

    Find out about the Innovation Center and other updates to HLC’s Credential Lab.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    The U.S. Department of Education delays required reporting and sets up AI resources while Congress prepares for accreditation bill.

  • Q&A with HLC’s Meetings and Events Director

    You may not notice Renee Dew at HLC’s annual conference. That is because she is busy at work behind the scenes handling details both big and small.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President gives an update on recent Supreme Court decisions and the recent HLC Board meeting.

  • HLC Board Adopts Revised Criteria and Assumed Practices

    The Board also approved new proposed policy changes and adopted the dues and fees schedule for the coming academic year.

  • Coming Soon: Application and Guidance on Offering Reduced-Credit Bachelor’s Programs

    In September, HLC will publish guidelines on reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs, as well as a new substantive change application specific to reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs.

  • Get Your #HLC2025 Proposals Ready! The Application Opens July 22

    Learn about the presentations we’re seeking for Higher Learning 2025.

  • Mission, Research Drive Change at Midwest College

    Donnelly College strengthens mission and supercharges momentum with help from HLC’s Student Success Academy.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    Program Integrity and Institutional Quality negotiated rulemaking issues move forward.

  • 10 Questions for HLC Peer Reviewer Purva DeVol

    This eagle-eyed peer reviewer uses her wealth of accreditation experience to improve student outcomes.

  • Q & A with new HLC Trustee Joi Cunningham

    Joi Cunningham is an attorney with 20-plus years of experience in higher education. She currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She joins HLC’s Board of Trustees in September.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President discusses proposed regulations from the U.S. Department of Education.

  • What We Heard From You

    HLC’s takeaways from listening sessions at our 2024 Annual Conference.

  • Proposed Benchmarks for Student Success Outcomes

    Learn about HLC’s approach to identifying benchmarks for evaluating student outcomes.

  • Peer Reviewers Recognized at HLC Annual Conference

    HLC honored peer reviewers for their great work and service at the 2024 Peer Corps Awards Luncheon.

  • Improve Your Outcomes by Aligning Efforts Across Your Institution with HLC’s Academies

    Academy teams have used their experience to create lasting change. Discover how you can too. Apply by June 10.

  • First Step Toward Identifying Quality Microcredential Organizations

    Design team frames ideas for quality assurance for microcredential-related educational providers and meets with state partners, other providers for initial feedback.

  • Student Records Access

    New white paper written in collaboration with the higher ed compacts illustrates the variety of activities to help students gain access to student records.

  • The Quality Initiative Journey: An Institution’s Experience

    Creative teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom focus of initiative to demonstrate continuous improvement.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    HLC provides input to the U.S. Department of Education on potential new rules regarding accreditation as well as a new student success funding opportunity.

  • 10 Questions for Academy Mentor Trudy Bers

    Trudy Bers believes in giving back and continuing to learn all she can about higher education and has demonstrated that in her 30-plus years with HLC.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President discusses the upcoming Annual Conference, higher ed trends, AI and more.

  • Proposed Criteria for Accreditation: Tell Us What You Think

    HLC’s Board preliminarily approved proposed changes to the Criteria for Accreditation Read them now.

  • HLC’s Credential Lab Starts to Take Shape

    Leadership Advisory Board meeting and new grant help establish HLC’s newest initiative.

  • Know Before You Go: 2024 HLC Annual Conference

    Download the app and build your schedule for the HLC Annual Conference, April 13–16. 

  • Apply Now: Spark institution-wide change with HLC’s Academies

    Apply for the Fall 2024 Assessment and Student Success Academies today! 

  • Drive Your Institution Forward This Summer

    Explore learning opportunities in student success, academic program review and more this May through July.

  • How Technical College Took a Deep Dive Into Assessment

    Fox Valley Technical College’s assessment reaches a new level of importance and community buy in.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    Learn about the College Cost Reduction Act proposed as well as a new round of negotiated rulemaking.

  • 10 Questions for New Peer Reviewer Andrew T. Bolger

    Andrew T. Bolger is new to HLC’s Peers Corps, but he’s spent a lifetime gearing up for the moment.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President gives an update on HLC work going into the new year.

  • By the Numbers: Findings From the Criteria for Accreditation

    Analysis of the application of HLC’s standards of quality.

  • Trend Update: Generative AI Use at Member Colleges and Universities

    Last month, we asked CEOs at HLC member colleges and universities to tell us about their use of generative AI. This is what they said.

  • 2024 Institutional Update Opens Feb. 26

    Learn about changes to this year’s Update and start preparing your institution’s data.

  • Full Program Available: Plan Your HLC Annual Conference 

    Check out the sessions scheduled for the 2024 conference, and don’t miss Early Bird rates!

  • New Peer Reviewers Selected

    Read about how new members of the Peer Corps were selected and next steps for the application cycle.

  • Civic Engagement is Pillar for Learning at The Ohio State University

    A new general education program for undergraduate students takes civic engagement, citizenship and analytical thinking to a new level at Ohio State University.

  • Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update

    This month’s update introduces HLC’s 2024 Advocacy Agenda, the upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking, and much more.

  • 10 Questions for Academy Mentor Marissa Cope

    Marissa Cope dreamed as a child of being a U.S. president, but she is razor-focused today on helping colleges understand the difference assessment can make in achieving quality outcomes.