10 Questions for Academy Mentor Kim Roufs  

Retired University of Minnesota Director Emerita Kathleen (Kim) Roufs’ experience as an HLC Academy mentor has been rewarding. It keeps her grounded in higher education and gives her a chance to stay current with former students, who she believes are “the hope for our future.” 

When and how did you first learn about accreditation?   

I learned about the HLC and accreditation early in my career when university departments were going through self-studies in preparation for accreditation visits, and later, when “measurable outcomes” became buzzwords. 

How do you explain your work with HLC to people who aren’t familiar with accreditation, in 10 words or less?  

I help institutions examine educational standards, academic integrity, and accountability in student experiences.  

Why did you want to get involved with HLC?   

After I retired from the University of Minnesota in Duluth where I had been an instructor and administrator, a colleague and college president who was active in accreditation processes at HLC suggested I consider being a mentor. I joined HLC’s Academy about 10 years ago, working first with the Persistence and Completion Academy, and then as a mentor in the Student Success Academy. It allowed me to stay in academia and do what I love, which is to help faculty and students grow in knowledge and experience. I’ve especially wanted to remain involved and stay in contact with students I’ve known, as they are our future. 

What aspects of your background have been particularly helpful in your work with HLC?  

My work as an administrator in student development and academic advising, an Ed.D. in Higher Education Policy and Administration, and sustained relationships with faculty members and staff from many institutions have provided me with a solid foundation as an HLC Student Success Academy mentor.  

What have you learned from working with HLC that’s been beneficial to you?  

I continue to be impressed with how hard faculty and staff from HLC member institutions work and how much they care about student success on their campuses. 

What has been one of your most memorable experiences working with HLC?  

I appreciate the trust I have with the many institution teams that I have worked with as a mentor, and I continue to value these relationships and work together after the Academy has ended. 

How do you find the time to volunteer with HLC? 

I am retired but enjoy part time work. It gives me an opportunity to continue to support students in their academic journeys. 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?  

A ballerina and a nun. Go figure! 

What is your greatest career or life achievement so far?  

I am very proud of my husband, who is a cultural anthropologist most famous for his work on the anthropology of food, and of our three sons.  Professionally, I am also proud of the impact my doctoral research had in the field of hearing loss. I did research about post-secondary faculty members, who had lost hearing due to age, natural causes or trauma. I concluded that many of them frequently had a hidden disability that can carry a stigma. A number of people read my work and the Chronicle of Higher Education dedicated an entire page to the research. Since then, I believe the stigma I identified has been changing.  

What’s your favorite part of being a member of the HLC community?  

The relationships, the opportunity to become acquainted with individuals who care about the academic experience for all stakeholders, and the chance to continue to work effectively on projects that affect student success are favorites.