Academic Program Review Workshop
June 22 – June 24
Start: Monday, June 22, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. CT
End: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. CT
Location: Sheraton Suites Chicago O’Hare
6501 Mannheim Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Register by: May 22, 2026 | 11:59 p.m.
Please note: Space is limited for this workshop, so we may reach capacity before the deadline.
Develop an impactful academic program review process that’s aligned with your institution’s mission in this interactive team workshop. Through plenaries, discussion sessions, peer consultations and structured conversations, develop a draft program review plan that will help you successfully implement an effective process.
In this workshop, you’ll:
- Hear about the purpose and aspects of successful program review.
- Work with your team to review current practices and identify changes and goals.
- Explore common types of evidence included in academic program review to enable a data audit.
- Learn aspects of organizational infrastructure that promote manageable practices.
- Discuss the role of campus culture and engagement for successful implementation.
Who Should Attend?
A team of four to eight representatives from institutions interested in either developing a new program review process or making significant changes to their current practices (academic programs only).
Program Fees
HLC Member Institution Fees
The program fee of $3,600 includes up to 4 team members.
Up to 4 additional team members can be added for $500 per person.
Non-Member Institution Fees
The program fee of $4,000 includes up to 4 team members.
Up to 4 additional team members can be added for $550 per person.
The fee includes breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon refreshments. Institutions are responsible for dinner each night in addition to travel and hotel costs associated with attending the event.
Payment Options
Credit Card
Payment via credit card is preferred. HLC accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Checks/ACH
Please include your check number during registration if you select this method.
Additions & Replacements
Additions
The designated Team Lead is able to add team members by modifying the existing team registration until May 21. Teams must maintain a minimum of four members.
Replacements
If a team member is no longer available, the institution should try to make a replacement. The Team Lead can modify the existing team registration to replace team members until May 21.
Cancellations & Refunds
All cancellation requests must be sent to HLC in writing to [email protected].
Refunds resulting form cancellations will be based on the following dates:
- Cancellations requested on or before May 22, 2026 will be eligible for a full refund less a $25 processing fee per person.
- Cancellations requested between May 23 and May 31, 2026 will be eligible for a 50% refund less a $25 processing fee per person.
- No-shows or cancellations requested on or after June 1, 2026 are not eligible for a refund.
Key Topics and Takeaways
Monday, June 22
Purpose and Essential Aspects of Successful Program Review
Setting the Stage: Monday’s activities will give you key context for the workshop’s activities and essential information to start reflecting on your institution’s current program review practices. You’ll audit your current program review practices to determine opportunities to improve.
Tuesday, June 23
Tools for Success
Data Considerations: Event leaders will share common types of information included in a program review process. Consider what data is currently being used, what additional data is needed and where to access it. Use this information to conduct a data audit relevant to your program review goals. 
Infrastructure to Support Program Review: Review critical components of successful program review process implementation, including stakeholder roles and responsibilities, timelines, reporting structures and using your findings. During team time, apply this information to address essential elements of your infrastructure for implementation.     
Wednesday, June 24
Implementation at Your Institution
Project Management and Communication Strategies: To bring everything together, Wednesday’s activities will include some strategies for project management and communication to key stakeholders. During team time, apply this information to develop an action plan for next steps when you return to campus. 
Meet the Workshop Facilitators
Jan Smith
Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness (Emerita), Pittsburg State University
Jan Smith is the Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness (Emerita) at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. She has given numerous international, national and regional presentations on topics related to higher education, most notably accreditation. Jan has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wyoming and has 20 years of experience as a professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Pittsburg State. Jan was a long-time mentor for HLC’s Assessment Academy before becoming an Academy Scholar.
Jean Redeker
Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, University of Kansas
Jean Redeker serves as Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs/Accreditation Liaison Officer for the University of Kansas. In her 17 years at KU she has held multiple roles, including overseeing the institution’s distance education program and NC-SARA reporting, and coordinating programmatic accreditation and program review processes. Prior to her current position she served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Kansas Board of Regents where she oversaw program approval and program review processes for six state universities. She also supervised system-wide course transfer, reverse transfer, concurrent enrollment, and developmental education for the state’s seven public universities, 19 community colleges, and six technical colleges while ensuring regulatory compliance for more than 120 private and out-of-state institutions.
Location
Sheraton Suites Chicago O’Hare
6501 Mannheim Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Overnight Accommodations
HLC has secured a block of guest rooms at the Sheraton Suites Chicago O’Hare at a special group rate of $199 plus tax. Reservations should be made directly with the Sheraton by using the link below. The group rate will be available until Monday, June 1, 2026.
Check In Time: 3:00 p.m. | Check Out Time: 12:00 p.m.
Guest Room Cancellation
Guest rooms must be cancelled at least 48 hours prior to scheduled arrival date. Reservations cancelled less than 2 days before arrival are subject to cancellation charges by the hotel.
Accessing the Sheraton
From the Airport
The Sheraton Suites Chicago O’Hare offers a free airport shuttle. Follow signs to Terminal 2 – Baggage Claim Level – Door 2E. Walk outside to the 2nd vehicle lane for pick up. For Terminal 5 arrivals only, arrange a pick-up by calling 847-699-6300 ext. 0.
Parking
If you are arriving by car, onsite self-parking is available for $20 per night with in/out access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
I have a scheduling conflict over the event date. Can I send a different representative in my place over the conflicting date?
Yes, replacements are allowed. The Team Lead may continue to add/replace team members by modifying the group registration record (link included in the confirmation email) until May 21.
What is the maximum number of registrants per institution?
Institutions should send at least four and no more than eight representatives per team.
What meals are provided in the registration fee?
Your registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and snacks daily. Attendees are responsible for dinner each night.
Preparation
Does the team need to complete any pre-work?
Yes, your team will be asked to complete a short pre-work questionnaire ahead of the workshop to share your current program review practices and reasons for attending. A few weeks before the workshop, the Primary Contact will receive login credentials from SparQ, HLC’s online collaboration portal, to submit the pre-work questionnaire on behalf of the team.
What should I bring to the workshop?
Participants should bring their laptop to access data, materials, and other forms of information that is housed in SparQ and their institution’s server. Complimentary wireless internet is available at the meeting venue.
What should I wear to the workshop?
Business casual is requested, and it is recommended that guests dress in layers due to the variance of temperatures in venue spaces.
