Ryan Zonnefeld is associate dean for academic affairs, director of assessment and professor of education at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. He has been involved in accreditation processes for years at his institution and recently became an HLC peer reviewer in fall 2024. 

Tell us about yourself and your work with HLC. 

I have been interested and involved in accreditation processes for 25 years, dating back to my first accreditation visit as K-8 school administrator. I have been involved with HLC conferences and accreditation writing at my university since 2009. My interest in becoming a peer reviewer was piqued in our institution’s 2022 comprehensive evaluation. The peer review team was highly complimentary of our team’s Assurance Argument and encouraged us to consider having one or more of us apply to the Peer Corps. 

What has participating as an HLC peer reviewer taught you? 

Serving as a peer reviewer has deepened my appreciation of the value of an accreditation process that provides both freedom and accountability to institutions to live out their mission in tangible ways in the lives of their students. It has also expanded my appreciation and awareness of the committed individuals who serve higher education institutions, seeking to develop students to be positive, transformative influences in their communities. 

What is the biggest advantage to being a member of the HLC community?  

The biggest advantage of serving as a peer reviewer is the inspiration that I am blessed to receive from the many leaders at the institutions we review, as well as on the peer review team itself. These individuals give me joy and hope for the work of higher education. 

What has surprised you most during your experience as an HLC volunteer? 

I am surprised by the breadth of different institutions that HLC serves, the interesting aspects of each institution, and the amount of learning I can take back to my own institution to inform our continuous improvement. Also, I did not expect the peer review team members to become more than just professional connections, but friends. 

What is your pro tip for new peer reviewers? 

Be a sponge. Soak in not just the information you learn but take notice of the focus and leadership of your team chair and the peers on your team. I have only been on two teams, and the chairs and team members have been amazing. There is so much to be learned from both the content and process of peer reviews.