Demonstrating Quality: An Assurance Argument Virtual Workshop
April 25 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Registration Fee: $750 per team (3-8 members)
Register By: April 18, 2025 | 11:59 p.m. CT
This event is currently at capacity. If you would like to join the waitlist, please email [email protected]. Placement on the waitlist does not guarantee admission to the workshop.
See HLC’s resources on the revised Criteria for Accreditation.
Prepare for your upcoming comprehensive evaluation or Assurance Review by refining your Assurance Argument with guidance from experienced peer reviewers. This interactive workshop will help you finalize your draft, prepare an effective argument and organize your evidence. Presentations from workshop leaders and dedicated team time will allow you to collaborate and align on the plan for remaining work leading up to your lock date.
Following the workshop, you will submit a short excerpt of the Assurance Argument and a sample of evidence for feedback from the workshop leaders. You will also receive access to recorded presentations on the evaluation, visit and decision-making processes.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is open to Accreditation Liaison Officers, Primary Filing Coordinators, and other representatives responsible for preparing the Assurance Argument for institutions with an Assurance Review scheduled from September 2025 – March 2026, as part of a Year 4 or Year 10 evaluation.
Each participating institution is expected to send a team of three to eight members.
Program Fees
$750.00 per team
(3-8 members)
Each team consisting of 3 to 8 members will be charged $750.00. A minimum of three members is required for each team. A maximum of eight members is allowed.
Payment must be made in full prior to receiving access to SparQ and Zoom links.
Payment Options
Credit Card
Payment via credit card is preferred. HLC accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Checks/ACH
Please email [email protected] with your check tracking information if you select this method.
Additions & Replacements
Additions
Each team is required to assign a Team Lead, who will serve as the primary contact and can add or modify team members in HLC’s online collaboration platform, SparQ. Once registration is complete, the primary contact will receive a confirmation email containing SparQ login information.
Replacements
If a team member can no longer participate in the workshop, the primary contact should delete them from SparQ and replace them with a substitute team member. Team changes can be made until Friday, April 18, 2025. Teams must maintain a minimum of three team members.
Cancellations & Refunds
All cancellation requests must be sent to [email protected].
Refunds resulting from cancellations will be based on the following dates:
- Cancellations requested on or before April 9, 2025, will be eligible for a full refund, less a $25 processing fee per person.
- Cancellations requested between April 10 and April 24, 2025, will be eligible for a 50% refund, less a $25 processing fee per person.
- No-shows or cancellations requested on or after April 25, 2025, are not eligible for a refund.
Agenda Overview / Key Topics
Friday, April 25
Welcome and Overview
HLC Staff Members
Tips for Preparing an Effective Assurance Argument
Presentation and Team Time
Providing Evidence
Presentation and Team Time
Finalizing the Assurance Argument and Evidence File
Presentation and Team Time
Q&A and Closing
HLC Staff Members
Post-Workshop Excerpt Review
Following the workshop, your team will apply the concepts and strategies discussed by finalizing and submitting a draft excerpt of the Assurance Argument in SparQ, HLC’s online collaboration platform. Experienced peer reviewers will review the submissions and provide feedback.
The excerpt should include one core component, an evidence summary, and five to eight pieces of evidence to support the narrative.
Additional Resources
Log into SparQ to access recorded presentations on the evaluation, visit, and decision-making processes.
Meet the Workshop Facilitators
Lisa Perez-Miller
Vice President Emeritus of Students/Enrollment Management, Pratt Community College
Lisa has 40 years of experience in higher education, 30 years in executive administration, and 29 years in non-profit leadership. She also works as a trainer and facilitator in leadership development, strategic planning, public image, marketing, branding, and organizational effectiveness. Lisa retired on January 1, 2024, after extensive involvement in Pratt CC’s professional teams and programs, including the President’s Council, Instructional Council, and Student Leadership Council, chairing the institution’s program review initiative, leading the Return to Campus Task Force during the pandemic, and co-chairing the institution’s accreditation team. She served as Title IX Coordinator, Chief Diversity Officer, and chief disciplinary officer in addition to supervising the Division of Students/Enrollment Management. She has served as an HLC peer reviewer since 2014, is a team chair, is a member of the Peer Reviewer Updates and Training planning committee, and participates as a committee member for several special projects.
Rex Ramsier
Professor of Physics, University of Akron
After completing his graduate work and a brief stint in industry, Rex Ramsier joined the faculty of the University of Akron in 1996. After progressing through the tenure-track ranks, he moved into a variety of academic administrator roles including Director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning, Senior Vice President and Provost, and Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, in addition to serving as the campus ALO for about 15 years. He returned to a primary focus on teaching as a Professor of Physics post-COVID and is heavily invested in developing inquiry-based learning opportunities for his students. He has been a member of the Peer Corps since 2008 and has served HLC in various capacities since that time. He is currently a team chair, a member of the IAC, and a training facilitator for members of the Peer Corps.
Technology Requirements
Platform
Before the event, you will receive an email from [email protected] with login information that will give you access to all course materials and activities in SparQ, HLC’s collaborative learning hub. If you do not receive this email, check your spam/promotions folders first, then contact [email protected].
Resources
Sharing of materials will be managed using SparQ, and the live component will be delivered on Zoom. Attendees, or their respective institutions, are responsible for installing and configuring any software or hardware necessary to participate. Follow these steps while checking device compatibility:
- Check the Zoom System Requirements to confirm each team member’s device can support the platform.
- Run an Internet Speed Test on the device(s) that will be connecting to the online meeting. Compare results to the Zoom system requirements to ensure the internet speed matches the recommended bandwidth for meeting attendees.
- Visit the Zoom Download Center to find out whether the latest version is installed or check for updates on your Zoom application.
- For the best attendee experience, it is recommended that built-in computer cameras or webcams are turned on and audio is connected directly through the device or with headphones.
Additional Zoom guidelines and event-specific instructions will be sent out to registered attendees closer to the event date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my team for the event?
The Team Lead completes the online registration form on this website and serves as the primary contact. Within five business days of completing registration, the Team Lead will receive an email from [email protected] with login credentials and instructions for adding team members.
How do I modify my team members?
Your Team Lead can add, delete, and/or replace team members in SparQ. Team modifications can be made until Friday, April 18, 2025.
For additional assistance, please contact our support team at [email protected].
Is there any pre-work?
Any applicable pre-work will be shared in SparQ at least two weeks prior to the workshop.
I have a scheduling conflict over the event date. Can I send a different representative in my place over the conflicting date?
The designated Team Lead can add, delete, and/or replace team members in SparQ and can forward materials and communications to the replacement team member.
How many people can participate from my institution?
Teams must have a minimum of 3 team members and a maximum of 8 team members.
Since this is a virtual event, do all participating team members need to be in one location for the duration of the event?
The workshop will include presentations, team conversations, and activities. We encourage the entire team to participate from one location to better facilitate teamwork. However, we can accommodate teams joining from various locations.
When will we receive the Zoom login information?
The Zoom link will be provided at least 24 hours prior to each module.
