This year, perhaps RWC’s biggest undertaking, both in terms of importance and workload, is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) re-accreditation process. Because accreditation verifies that an institution meets specific criteria and offers quality education, the evaluation is crucial to the College’s ongoing success. Accreditation by the HLC, through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, confirms that the College meets the Commission’s criteria and requirements and can continue to do so in the future. Accreditation confers status on our courses and degrees, facilitates transfer of credits and financial aid for students, and offers an assurance of quality to prospective students.
It’s important to note RWC’s stellar record regarding accreditation. When Raymond Walters College was established in 1967 as a regional campus of UC, it came under the umbrella of the University of Cincinnati North Central Association accreditation. In 1969, Raymond Walters College achieved independent North Central Association accreditation. The second comprehensive visit occurred in 1979, followed by a Focus Visit in 1983-84; RWC has been continuously accredited since that time. The most recent comprehensive visit occurred in 1998-99 and resulted in a 10-year re-accreditation.
The HLC performs an in-depth review of the entire institution to determine how well the College fulfills its mission and meets five general criteria: Mission and Integrity; Preparing for the Future; Student Learning and Effective Teaching; Acquisition, Discovery and Application of Knowledge; and Engagement and Service.
The process began last year with a self-study by RWC. This period is an opportunity for the College to identify strengths and areas for improvement and to initiate changes where necessary. At the end of the self study, RWC will submit a report to the Commission by March 2009; then a team of HLC peer evaluators will conduct a site visit May 4-6, 2009.
I’m proud to share that we have created a highly participatory process in order to best represent the entire institution. From compiling feedback from students and community partners, along with input from faculty and staff, I believe we have more than embraced the goal of a comprehensive self-evaluation, and I look forward to reporting our good news after the May 2009 site visit.