** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Forums for February 2022 Year-4 Comprehensive  Visit

During the pandemic, in order to keep the Highlands community informed about ongoing accreditation activities, we have been presenting a series of institution-wide videos. We have also been holding Zoom webinars with team members who have volunteered to serve on various preparatory committees. Each meeting of the Board of Regents has had an HLC update included.

The first forum, held on April 26, 2021, informed the campus community regarding the work being done for the next HLC comprehensive visit in February 2022. This forum covered changes to the HLC Criteria for Accreditation, what we can expect at the visit, and how people can volunteer to be involved in the process – as HLC affects every one of us. The presenters for this webinar were President Dr. Minner; and HLC liaisons Dr. Keith Tucker and April Kent.

The last forum, held on February 17, 2022 virtually, informed the campus on the tentative schedule of events for the two-day visit as outlined by HLC Peer Reviewers. Questions were asked regarding participation by the faculty, staff, students, and administrator. As Covid-19 protocols were in place, the visit was planned as both an on-campus and an online event with the peer-reviewers. The presenters for this webinar were President Dr. Minner; and HLC liaisons Dr. Keith Tucker and April Kent.

Recording of the April 26 forum.

Forums for October 2020 Focused Visit

On September 24, 2020, a forum provided an overview of the preparation process for the Focused Visit that will take place on October 5-6, 2020. The Focused Visit basically consists of a team of peer reviewers sent by the Higher Learning Commission to determine whether the university has met the areas of concern specified by the HLC.

Additionally, we held three HLC Forums in spring 2019, and three more in fall 2019. Each forum focused on one of the three areas of concern specified by the HLC. Details on each of the forums are provided below.

There was an additional HLC Forum on March 9, 2020, just prior to the originally scheduled date for the Focused Visit. You can find a recording of the March 9 forum here.

Announcement: An HLC pre-Focused Visit Forum took place on Sept 24, 2020 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The final HLC Forum took place on September 24, 2020, just prior to the scheduled Focused Visit on October 5th and 6th. This forum provided one more opportunity to share our progress with the campus community and let them know what to expect from the Focused Visit.

You can find the September 24, 2020 forum here.

Strategic Enrollment Management (HLC Criterion 4C)

The spring 2019 forum took place on February 25. Dr. Edward Martinez, Interim VP for Enrollment Management, gave a presentation on the steps Highlands University is taking to increase enrollment and improve retention. Time was provided for questions and for suggestions from the audience.

A recording of the February 25 forum is here.

There is a summary of audience-generated suggestions here.

The fall 2019 forum took place on Monday, October 28. Speakers included President Sam Minner, Jessica Hurtado, Director of Admissions, and Dr. Lee Allard, Director of OIER. The forum focused on summarizing some of our initiatives for promoting effective, data-informed enrollment management, as recommended by the HLC.

Listen to a recording of the October 28 forum.

Finance (HLC Criterion 5A)

The spring 2019 forum took place on Monday, March 25. Mr. Max Baca, VP for Finance and Administration, discussed the steps that Highlands University is taking to address the HLC’s concerns in the area of our financial activities.

Listen to a recording of the March 25 forum.

The fall 2019 forum took place on Monday, September 23. Speakers included President Sam Minner, Mr. Max Baca, VP for Finance and Administration, and Dr. Lee Allard, Director of OIER. The forum focused on summarizing key elements of the HLC Focused Visit Evidence File, currently under preparation, with respect to HLC Criterion 5A. The forum speakers also encouraged campus stakeholders to be informed and actively involved in the preparation process for the Focused Visit.

Listen to a recording of the September 23 forum here.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Improvement (HLC Criterion 5D)

The spring 2019 forum took place on Monday, April 22. Dr. Ian Williamson and Dr. Lee Allard discussed the steps that Highlands University is taking to address the HLC’s concerns in the area of our planning and institutional improvement activities.

Listen to a recording of the April 22 forum April 22 forum here.

The fall 2019 forum took place on Monday, November 18. Speakers included President Sam Minner, Dr. Ian Williamson, Associate VP for Academic Affairs, Michelle Bencomo, Student Relations Coordinator, and Dr. Lee Allard, Director of OIER. The forum focused on summarizing key elements of the HLC Focused Visit Evidence File, currently under preparation, with respect to HLC Criterion 5D. The forum speakers also encouraged campus stakeholders to be informed and actively involved in the preparation process for the Focused Visit.

Listen to a recording of the November 18 forum here.

Please join us for these campus-wide forums!