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State Partners Annual Meeting
November 13, 2025 – November 14, 2025
Start: Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. CT
End: Friday, November 14, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. CT
Location: Sheraton Suites Chicago O’Hare
6501 Mannheim Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Register By: October 17, 2025
The HLC State Partners Annual Meeting is a convening of state higher education agencies, system offices, state higher education organizations and federal staff to discuss policy and practice in accreditation and current issues in higher ed. Engage with representatives from various state higher education agencies and HLC staff members on a variety of topics including student success outcomes, workforce development, and working with state legislatures. Plus, learn about updates regarding HLC initiatives and the 2025 Trends in higher ed.
Who Should Attend?
State higher education officials who manage accreditation relations, policy, strategy, and/or communications are invited to participate. One representative per organization is invited to attend.
Additional Opportunity: HLC Federal Policy Updates for State Partners Webinar
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. CT | Zoom
Hear up-to-date information about federal policy issues from experts in Washington, D.C. during this webinar. There will be time for Q&A. Learn more and register.
Schedule at a Glance
Schedule subject to change.
Thursday, November 13
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Welcome and Updates From HLC
HLC staff members will discuss the 2025 Trends, the revised Criteria for Accreditation, HLC’s next strategic plan and more.
Presenters:
Barbara Gellman-Danley, President, HLC
Heather Berg, Vice President of Communications and Engagement, HLC
Eric Martin, Executive Vice President, HLC
Marla Morgen, Vice President and General Counsel, HLC
2:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Deep Dive Session: Examining Student Success Outcomes
In spring 2025, HLC expanded its risk indicator processes to include student success indicators, looking at three traditional educational outcome measures for undergraduate students. This session will share details about the evaluation process and insights from the initial data collection will be shared. The session will also include a discussion about our collective interest and capacity for tracking and improving economic outcomes, as the next iteration of this important work. There will be time for a 15 minute break.
Presenters:
Vince Coraci, Director of Accreditation Processes, HLC
Eric Martin, Executive Vice President, HLC
Patricia Newton-Curran, Vice President of Systems and Accreditation Services, HLC
Destiny Quintero, Vice President of Education, Training, and Events, HLC
Jenny Schanker, Senior Director of Learning and Research, Michigan Community College Association
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Promising Practices and Discussion Session: State Agencies Implementing State Laws
The past few legislative seasons have seen an increase in the number and complexity of mandates from state legislatures related to higher education. In this session, two practitioners will share approaches that their agencies are using to implement complicated state directives in areas such as program review, scholarships, dual enrollment and more. Time will be reserved for sharing among participants and discussion.
Presenters:
Mason Campbell, Assistant Commissioner of Academic Affairs, Arkansas Division of Higher Education
Marla Morgen, Vice President and General Counsel, HLC
Tom Sudkamp, Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Ohio Department of Higher Education
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
Friday, November 14
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Deep Dive Session: Building Bridges with State Higher Education and Workforce Agencies
This session will explore issues around the increasing number of short-term credentials and content providers that are emerging.  The session will address questions such as: How can HLC work with state higher education and workforce agencies to align efforts to assure quality and to improve transparency for learners and employers? There will be time for a 15 minute break.
Presenters:
Tom Bordenkircher, Vice President of Accreditation Relations, HLC
Kate Smalkin, Vice President, Engagement, CredLens
Meg Bates, Director, Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC)
Karen Solomon, Vice President and Chief Transformation Office, HLC
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Promising Practices and Discussion: HLC’s Financial Modeling Initiative
HLC staff will present an overview of HLC’s analysis of factors informing institutional financial sustainability as well as HLC’s practices for assessing institutional financial stability.
Presenters:
Sarah Hallett, Manager of Legal and Governmental Affairs, HLC
Michael Seuring, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, HLC
Jamie Stanesa, Vice President of Accreditation Relations, HLC
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Feedback and Conclusion
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 $169 plus tax. Reservations should be made directly with the Sheraton by using the link below. The group rate will be available until Monday, October 22, 2025.
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 $15 per night with in/out access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend from my organization?
We are able to accommodate one invited representative from each organization.
I have a scheduling conflict over the event date. Can I send a different representative in my place?
Yes, replacements are allowed. To ensure that the replacement receives all communications and materials, please contact [email protected] no later than five business days before the start date of the event.
What meals are provided during the meeting?
We will provide dinner on Thursday and breakfast on Friday, as well as snack and beverage breaks during the event. Please select which meal functions you plan to attend during registration.
What should I wear to the meeting?
Business casual is requested, and it is recommended that guests dress in layers due to the variance of temperatures in venue spaces.