University of the Ozarks has been re-accredited as an institution of higher education for the next 10 years by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools' Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
At a meeting on Feb. 25, the Institutional Actions Council (IAC) of the HLC voted to "continue the accreditation of the University of the Ozarks with the next reaffirmation of accreditation to be set in 2022-23."
Ozarks engaged in an extensive self-study process, addressing requirements and criteria for accreditation. The university also hosted an accreditation team site visit in October.
"A great deal of time and effort goes into preparing for the North Central Association accreditation, and that preparation in not merely the year or two before the actual team visit to evaluate the campus," said Ozarks President Dr. Rick Niece. "The planning is a 10-year process. I am extremely proud of Ozarks and our faculty, staff, and students who worked together to ensure another 10 years of North Central Association accreditation. The quality of an Ozarks’ education shines throughout the final report."
In conjunction with the re-accreditation, the IAC voted to require Ozarks to provide a "progress report due 11/2/15 on enrollment with a specific focus on student recruitment and retention."
"Heartfelt thanks go to all members of the Ozarks community who participated in the development of the self-study, preparations for the campus visit, the campus visit itself, and actions taken to address some of the issues raised in the self-study," said Ozarks Provost Dr. Daniel Taddie. "Special thanks go to the members of the steering committee: Chair Dr. Elissa Heil, Professor Karen Jones, Dr. David Daily, Dr. Sharon Gorman, Dr. Greta Marlow, Dr. Bill Doria, Randy Peterson, and Nathan Sain."
The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The Commission accredits approximately 1,100 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Topics: About