The Leaflet

Published six times a year, the Leaflet newsletter provides updates, news and resources regarding HLC, accreditation and the higher education industry.

July 2025

  • From the desk of Barbara Gellman-Danley, HLC President

    BGD Says

    Our HLC staff and board members are staying on top of changes in order to share information with you and provide any guidance as it relates to accreditation.

  • HLC Welcomes New Leaders to Board of Trustees

    Meet the trustees joining the HLC Board in September.

  • Gears with an arrow pointing to an institution icon

    New Dues and Fees and Policy Changes Adopted 

    In June, HLC’s Board of Trustees took action on proposed and final policy changes and adopted the dues and fees schedule for the coming year.

  • A letter coming out of a laptop that says "News Brief"

    Introducing HLC’s News Brief

    A new way to stay connected with HLC: The Leaflet is taking on an updated format.

  • "Reminder" with a download icon in the foreground and laptop in the background

    HLC’s Stand-Alone Assurance System Sunsets in November 2025 

    Institutions must export any materials they wish to save from the stand-alone system by October 31, 2025.

  • A person presenting at Higher Learning 2025

    Present at Higher Learning 2026: Call for Proposals Opening 

    Have a presentation idea for #HLC2026? See what we’re looking for.

  • The U.S. Capitol building

    Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update 

    Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget, accreditation legislation, One Big Beautiful Bill Act and more.

  • HLC Academy Mentor Joseph Harrington

    Academy Mentor Finds Joy in Giving Back

    Jo Harrington is as compassionate about mentoring colleagues as he is about teaching.

Leaflet Archive

  • BGD Says

    Congratulations from all of us at HLC during commencement season.

  • Student Success at HLC: A Progress Report 

    Reviewing HLC’s new requirements and processes related to student success.

  • 2025 Peer Corps Award Winners 

    HLC celebrated stand-out members of our Peer Corps at Higher Learning 2025 in April.

  • Highlights From Higher Learning 2025

    Get insights and resources from HLC’s annual conference.

  • Apply by June 13: HLC’s Academies 

    Join the Assessment and Student Success Academies and see how these programs can make measurable change.

  • Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update 

    Read about updates to executive orders and state legislation involving higher ed.

  • Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Celebrates Aspen Prize  

    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College receives 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College of Excellence.

  • 10 Questions for a Versatile HLC Volunteer 

    Meet veteran peer reviewer Patricia Brewer, whose experience has run the gamut, from site visits to reviews of prison education programs.

  • BGD Says

    We’re preparing for the HLC Annual Conference April 5-8, and much is happening at the federal and state levels related to higher education.  

  • New and Improved Resources for Institutions 

    Stay informed about recent updates to HLC procedures, including the Institutional Update, risk indicators, Federal Compliance, teach-out arrangements and more.

  • Know Before You Go: Higher Learning 2025

    See you in Chicago April 5–8! Get the information you need to make the most out of your conference experience.

  • Apply Now: Make Measurable Improvement With HLC’s Academies

    Apply for the fall 2025 cohort of the Assessment and Student Success Academies through June 13.

  • Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update

    Updates on HLC’s relationship with the Triad and outreach to D.C.

  • Students Developing Civil Dialogue Skills

    See how a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire professor enhanced civil dialogue.

  • Q & A With HLC’s Accreditation Systems Coordinator

    Nicole Perez organizes institutions’ reviews. She’s also a teacher.

  • BGD Says

    HLC is here for you!

  • Coming Soon: Assurance Filings in Canopy 

    An update on HLC’s work to build Assurance Filings and Reviews into our Canopy system.

  • Institutional Update Opens March 3 

    See what’s new for 2025 and start preparing your institution’s information.

  • HLC By the Numbers: Institutions and the Criteria 

    See the trends related to the effectiveness of the Criteria for Accreditation.

  • Higher Learning 2025: See the Full Schedule

    See the sessions for HLC’s Annual Conference to be held April 5–8 and register before early bird rates end!

  • New Tribal Law Program Engages Navajo Nation

    Diné College is breaking barriers with a new program to increase knowledge about Navajo law and engage the community.

  • Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update 

    This month features an updated HLC Advocacy Agenda and New FAFSA Legislation.

  • 10 Questions for Academy Mentor Kim Roufs  

    See how Kathleen (Kim) Roufs’ experience as an HLC Academy mentor keeps her grounded in higher education.

  • Civic Engagement Momentum Building at HLC Institutions  

    HLC’s institutions have overwhelmingly demonstrated that they share a commitment to civic engagement and the value it holds for the success of their graduates.

  • Promoting Educational Alignment to Workforce Needs 

    HLC has a new tool for institutions to create “microcredential partnerships with purpose.”

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s president gives an update in the wake of the election results.

  • Comment on Proposed Policy Changes

    The proposals would modify HLC’s policies on the Open and Standard Pathways, risk indicators, teach-out arrangements and special monitoring.

  • Elevating Student Success in 2025

    New policies and procedures will strengthen HLC’s ability to evaluate and support institutional efforts to improve student success.

  • Higher Learning 2025: Register Now

    Register for HLC’s Annual Conference, April 5–8, 2025 in Chicago.

  • Revised Criteria for Accreditation FAQs

    Find your answers to frequently asked questions about the revised Criteria for Accreditation.

  • HLC’s Opportunities for International Engagement

    Thinking globally is not new at HLC, but interest in accreditation practices worldwide is growing.

  • HLC Assessment Academy Holds Oct. 2024 Graduation

    Nineteen member institutions, one of the largest groups to date, graduated from HLC’s Assessment Academy.

  • Advocacy and Higher Ed Policy Update

    Election analysis – what does this mean for accreditation and higher ed?

  • National Humanities Medal Awarded to HLC Board of Trustees Member 

    Dr. Robert Martin, a member of the HLC Board of Trustees since 2014, was recognized in October for the distinguished award.

  • Q&A with Academy Mentor & Peer Reviewer Chandra Arthur

    HLC Academy mentor and peer reviewer Chandra D. Arthur leads program accreditation and health care initiatives in her day job.

  • BGD Says

    Welcome to the fall semester!

  • 2024 Substantive Change Updates

    Changes this year include a new application and guidelines for reduced-credit bachelor’s programs, a redesigned screening form for contractual arrangements, clarified definitions, and more.

  • Explore the New HLCommission.org

    With refreshed content and improved navigation, the new website makes it easy to find the information you need about accreditation, programming, initiatives and other HLC news.

  • Providing Evidence for the Revised Criteria

    Review HLC’s updated guidance and examples of evidence for the revised Criteria for Accreditation.

  • HLC By the Numbers

    Enrollment at HLC member institutions is showing potential signs of recovery from the pandemic, based on HLC’s analysis of the 2024 Institutional Update.

  • Higher Learning 2025: What’s New?

    Learn about new programming and updates for the 2025 HLC Annual Conference.

  • Learn and Grow With HLC’s Peer Corps: Apply Today!

    We’re accepting applications to join the Peer Corps through this Friday, September 20, 2024. 

  • Design of Credential Lab Innovation Center Begins

    Find out about the Innovation Center and other updates to HLC’s Credential Lab.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    The U.S. Department of Education delays required reporting and sets up AI resources while Congress prepares for accreditation bill.

  • Q&A with HLC’s Meetings and Events Director

    You may not notice Renee Dew at HLC’s annual conference. That is because she is busy at work behind the scenes handling details both big and small.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President gives an update on recent Supreme Court decisions and the recent HLC Board meeting.

  • HLC Board Adopts Revised Criteria and Assumed Practices

    The Board also approved new proposed policy changes and adopted the dues and fees schedule for the coming academic year.

  • Coming Soon: Application and Guidance on Offering Reduced-Credit Bachelor’s Programs

    In September, HLC will publish guidelines on reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs, as well as a new substantive change application specific to reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs.

  • Get Your #HLC2025 Proposals Ready! The Application Opens July 22

    Learn about the presentations we’re seeking for Higher Learning 2025.

  • Mission, Research Drive Change at Midwest College

    Donnelly College strengthens mission and supercharges momentum with help from HLC’s Student Success Academy.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    Program Integrity and Institutional Quality negotiated rulemaking issues move forward.

  • 10 Questions for HLC Peer Reviewer Purva DeVol

    This eagle-eyed peer reviewer uses her wealth of accreditation experience to improve student outcomes.

  • Q & A with new HLC Trustee Joi Cunningham

    Joi Cunningham is an attorney with 20-plus years of experience in higher education. She currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She joins HLC’s Board of Trustees in September.