HLC: Mission is vital to accreditation

LAWRENCE — In preparation for the University of Kansas’ 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation and comprehensive site visit in March with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), KU is hosting a mock site visit review Sept. 9-10. This will be a practice for the KU community, including faculty, academic and professional staff, and students, to interact with external reviewers.

As HLC reviewers evaluate KU, they will be verifying compliance with standards as well as looking for compelling stories of mission fulfillment in a quest for continuous improvement.

“When KU can clearly articulate how our mission drives everything we do, from strategic planning to student outcomes, scholarly innovation and community care, it not only aids in the reaffirmation of accreditation, but it also strengthens our identity and reputation in the broader landscape of higher education,” said Jennifer Roberts, senior vice provost for academic affairs and graduate studies.

Accreditation involves continuous improvement and compliance within the context of the institution, and every institution has a story that is shaped by its mission, vision and values. At KU, these affirmations are:

• Mission: To educate leaders, build healthy communities and make discoveries that change the world.
• Vision for KU Lawrence and Edwards: To be an exceptional learning community that lifts each member and advances society.
• Vision for KU Medical Center: To improve lives and communities in Kansas and beyond through partnership and innovation in education, research and health care.
• Values: IRISE (Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, Excellence).

“These are more than just statements,” Roberts said. “They shape our identities as Jayhawks from the academic programming we offer to research endeavors we pursue and the way we engage in community. How we operationalize these statements in all aspects sets KU apart from other institutions.”

Criteria 1 of the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation is dedicated to mission, requiring that an institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly and operationalized throughout.

Preparing for Site Visits

KU’s institutional learning goals are designed to ensure that every student, regardless of their field of study, develops skills that prepare them for future careers and to be engaged and informed citizens — the leaders of KU’s mission. The university’s institutional learning goals:

• Creative inquiry and discovery.
• Effective communication.
• Analytical reasoning.
• Social awareness and cultural understanding.
• Ethical and professional responsibility.
• Leadership and collaboration.

In both the comprehensive and the mock site visits, reviewers will ask questions to corroborate statements in the assurance argument. Individuals can prepare for these sessions by considering some of the following questions:

• How do you and your department or unit support KU’s mission?
• How does KU support belonging and inclusion?
• Have you been involved in strategic planning at KU?
• Do units across the university work collaboratively?

You can find more examples of questions and content related to preparing for the visit, as well as a schedule, on the HLC Accreditation 2025 webpage.

The KU community is strongly encouraged to participate in the events Sept. 9-10 as well as March 3 and 4, 2025, and share their story of how the university educates leaders, builds healthy communities and makes discoveries that change the world.