The Leaflet

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

September 2024

  • Barbara Gellman-Danley

    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.

  • HLC's new website on a laptop screen

    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.

  • Update: Criteria with HLC logo

    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

    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. 

  • Credential Lab | Higher Learning Commission logo

    Design of Credential Lab Innovation Center Begins

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

  • The U.S. Capitol building

    Advocacy and Policy Update

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

  • Renee Dew, HLC Director of Meetings and Events

    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.

Leaflet Archive

  • 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.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President discusses proposed regulations from the U.S. Department of Education.

  • What We Heard From You

    HLC’s takeaways from listening sessions at our 2024 Annual Conference.

  • Proposed Benchmarks for Student Success Outcomes

    Learn about HLC’s approach to identifying benchmarks for evaluating student outcomes.

  • Peer Reviewers Recognized at HLC Annual Conference

    HLC honored peer reviewers for their great work and service at the 2024 Peer Corps Awards Luncheon.

  • Improve Your Outcomes by Aligning Efforts Across Your Institution with HLC’s Academies

    Academy teams have used their experience to create lasting change. Discover how you can too. Apply by June 10.

  • First Step Toward Identifying Quality Microcredential Organizations

    Design team frames ideas for quality assurance for microcredential-related educational providers and meets with state partners, other providers for initial feedback.

  • Student Records Access

    New white paper written in collaboration with the higher ed compacts illustrates the variety of activities to help students gain access to student records.

  • The Quality Initiative Journey: An Institution’s Experience

    Creative teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom focus of initiative to demonstrate continuous improvement.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    HLC provides input to the U.S. Department of Education on potential new rules regarding accreditation as well as a new student success funding opportunity.

  • 10 Questions for Academy Mentor Trudy Bers

    Trudy Bers believes in giving back and continuing to learn all she can about higher education and has demonstrated that in her 30-plus years with HLC.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President discusses the upcoming Annual Conference, higher ed trends, AI and more.

  • Proposed Criteria for Accreditation: Tell Us What You Think

    HLC’s Board preliminarily approved proposed changes to the Criteria for Accreditation Read them now.

  • HLC’s Credential Lab Starts to Take Shape

    Leadership Advisory Board meeting and new grant help establish HLC’s newest initiative.

  • Know Before You Go: 2024 HLC Annual Conference

    Download the app and build your schedule for the HLC Annual Conference, April 13–16. 

  • Apply Now: Spark institution-wide change with HLC’s Academies

    Apply for the Fall 2024 Assessment and Student Success Academies today! 

  • Drive Your Institution Forward This Summer

    Explore learning opportunities in student success, academic program review and more this May through July.

  • How Technical College Took a Deep Dive Into Assessment

    Fox Valley Technical College’s assessment reaches a new level of importance and community buy in.

  • Advocacy and Policy Update

    Learn about the College Cost Reduction Act proposed as well as a new round of negotiated rulemaking.

  • 10 Questions for New Peer Reviewer Andrew T. Bolger

    Andrew T. Bolger is new to HLC’s Peers Corps, but he’s spent a lifetime gearing up for the moment.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President gives an update on HLC work going into the new year.

  • By the Numbers: Findings From the Criteria for Accreditation

    Analysis of the application of HLC’s standards of quality.

  • Trend Update: Generative AI Use at Member Colleges and Universities

    Last month, we asked CEOs at HLC member colleges and universities to tell us about their use of generative AI. This is what they said.

  • 2024 Institutional Update Opens Feb. 26

    Learn about changes to this year’s Update and start preparing your institution’s data.

  • Full Program Available: Plan Your HLC Annual Conference 

    Check out the sessions scheduled for the 2024 conference, and don’t miss Early Bird rates!

  • New Peer Reviewers Selected

    Read about how new members of the Peer Corps were selected and next steps for the application cycle.

  • Civic Engagement is Pillar for Learning at The Ohio State University

    A new general education program for undergraduate students takes civic engagement, citizenship and analytical thinking to a new level at Ohio State University.

  • Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update

    This month’s update introduces HLC’s 2024 Advocacy Agenda, the upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking, and much more.

  • 10 Questions for Academy Mentor Marissa Cope

    Marissa Cope dreamed as a child of being a U.S. president, but she is razor-focused today on helping colleges understand the difference assessment can make in achieving quality outcomes.

  • BGD Says

    HLC’s President gives an update on current happenings heading into the holiday season.

  • New Proposed and Adopted Policy Changes

    Learn more about policy changes considered by our Board of Trustees in November.

  • HLC Fielding Questions, Taking Steps with new Credential Lab

    HLC has launched Credential Lab, meet who is involved.

  • Higher Ground: Looking Ahead at the HLC Annual Conference

    Registration is open for the HLC Annual Conference, and we’re bringing you updates for 2024 and future years.

  • Evaluating Student Success Outcomes

    HLC is launching a multi-phase project to track student outcomes at member institutions.

  • The Latest from the Peer Corps

    An update from the Peer Corps, including the peer reviewer application, training opportunities and more.

  • Advocacy and Higher Ed Policy Update

    Updates regarding the Department of Education and states.

  • Trend Update: How Do You Use Generative AI?

    Generative AI is here, and its use is growing. Tell us how you are using it.