Mission, Vision and Guiding Values
Mission
Advance the common good through quality assurance of higher education as the leader in equitable, transformative and trusted accreditation in the service of students and member institutions.
Vision
HLC will be the champion of quality higher education by working proactively in support of students, institutions and their communities.
Vision Goals
- Focusing on students first as the most critical stakeholder in higher education and institutional accreditation.
- Exemplifying a commitment to equity in its operations and policies, service to members, Criteria for Accreditation and all other standards.
- Emphasizing the importance of outcomes that lead to student success in academics, the workforce, engaged citizenry and social responsibility as they relate to institutional mission.
- Providing leadership and advocacy in higher education and accreditation at the state and federal levels.
- Demonstrating HLC’s respect for the role of diversity and inclusion in higher education institutions and missions.
- Exploring new business models which include an expansion of membership, including the wider higher education and postsecondary ecosystem.
- Demonstrating agility in thought leadership to promote innovation.
- Enhancing the value of higher education through accreditation and peer review.
- Promoting and displaying civil discourse and engagement.
- Fostering collaboration and member development through timely and informed educational opportunities.
- Expanding and refining the use of technology and other services for the benefit of members engaging in accreditation activities as well as HLC’s educational programs.
- Continuously exploring new means and opportunities for achieving operational excellence in service to its membership.
Guiding Values
HLC has developed seven Guiding Values to support how HLC implements its Mission and Vision. These Guiding Values inform HLC’s accreditation standards; how HLC conducts its accreditation activities in order to provide value to its members and the students served by those members; and how HLC pursues other activities and operations beyond accreditation.
1. Focus on Students.
Students are at the center of all HLC’s activities and operations. HLC fosters positive student learning outcomes and student development, and embraces a variety of understandings of student success.
2. Model of Integrity.
HLC models integrity in all facets of its governance and activities, in service to its membership and the public.
3. Prominence of Institutional Mission.
HLC pursues rigorous quality assurance in a manner that emphasizes the distinctiveness and centrality of each individual institution’s mission.
4. Commitment to Peer Review.
HLC relies on representative, qualified, and objective peer review as the basis for effective quality assurance through transparent and evidence-based decision making that provides due process for all stakeholders.
5. Promoting Civic Engagement.
HLC is committed to promoting civic engagement, including civil discourse that encompasses the various viewpoints and perspectives that are part of a globally connected world.
6. Partner in Innovation.
HLC evolves through continuous improvement and innovation and encourages the same from its member institutions and others.
7. Affirmation of Shared Quality Assurance for the Public Good.
As part of the program integrity Triad, HLC is a thought leader and collaborates with the federal government and the states in advancing higher education as a public good.
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