University of the Ozarks has been notified by the Higher Learning Commission that its accreditation is reaffirmed for the next 10 years.
At its meeting on January 10, the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) “continued the accreditation of University of the Ozarks with the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation in 2032-33.”
The HLC is one of six regional entities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the United States.
To meet the HLC’s high standards, Ozarks demonstrated its quality in five areas: mission; integrity; teaching and learning – quality, resources and support; teaching and learning – evaluation and improvement; and institutional effectiveness – resources and planning.
“We are pleased and honored that University of the Ozarks has received full reaffirmation for the maximum period, 10 years, from the Higher Learning Commission, the largest and most diverse accrediting organization in the country” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth, J.D. “Over the past two and a half years, the University has conducted a self-study and submitted a report to the HLC. In September, the HLC conducted a site visit with five professionals from other member institutions. The reaffirmation process highlighted our strength as a mission-driven, student-focused University that offers a high-quality, private education.”
As part of this accreditation process, Ozarks developed an assurance argument document with several hundred items of supporting evidence for evaluation.
“I’m grateful to the members of the campus community who participated in this comprehensive review of Ozarks,” Dunsworth said. “Numerous staff, faculty, students, alumni and members of the public came together to develop the necessary evidence supporting the arguments we articulated. They also demonstrated during the site visit the qualities that make Ozarks a special place.”
Dr. Gloria Arcia, vice president for finance and administration, and Dr. Steve Oatis, associate vice president for academic affairs, served as co-chairs of the Self-Study Committee as well as criteria committee chairs. Other criteria committee chairs included, Larry Isch, director of public and media relations; Rebecca Lester, director of grants and major gifts; Dr. Brian Hardman, professor of English; and Dr. Joel Hagaman, associate professor of psychology.
The next comprehensive HLC review of Ozarks is scheduled for the 2032-33 academic year. Ozarks will provide HLC with an interim progress report in 2026-27 that will include an update on overall assessment of academic programs as well as retention data.