HLC Comprehensive Visit Update

We’re writing to provide an update on Adler University’s progress in preparing for our upcoming HLC Comprehensive Visit. Adler University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and currently preparing to host our comprehensive reaffirmation of accreditation site visit in November 2021. To prepare, the University formed the HLC Comprehensive Steering Committee (HLC SC) to anchor the process with five criterion work teams reviewing information and drafting the University’s report.

In the fall 2020 term, members of Adler’s faculty, staff, and students across all campuses were invited to participate in reviewing the pathway and related accreditation process with HLC. Since then, we assembled the steering committee and a work team for each of the five criteria for accreditation. These teams each consist of students, staff, and faculty from across the three campuses and have been meeting since September 2020. The five criterion teams have incorporated trainings from our HLC consultant; reviewed relevant HLC criterion, policy, and processes; and they are currently writing initial drafts for each the five criterion sections of the assurance argument.

Dr. Dave Wendler has been retained to consult with Adler as we work across this year to write the assurance argument, assemble the relevant body of evidence, conduct the mock visit (fall 2021) and host the comprehensive site visit across our campuses. Dr. Wendler’s background is in academic affairs including Provost. He is a peer reviewer and site visit chair for more than 20 years having conducting 60+ visits for HLC. He is a regular invitee to train HLC peer reviewers, collaborate on HLC grant projects, and lead HLC planning sessions with member participants. He has served on HLC’s Institutional Actions Council and was an HLC Partners for Transformation member. His HLC awards include a Leadership and Innovation in Accreditation award, Outstanding Service award, and Sine Qua Non award. Dr. Wendler also serves as an assessor for the Barbados Accreditation Council and both an assessor and consultant for the University Council of Jamaica from whom he received an award in 2017 for his work establishing standards for degrees and programs. In addition to international work, Dr. Wendler consults with many stateside colleges and universities. We are grateful for Dave’s expertise and input as our community works through this institutional process.
Next steps in our process include the submission of first drafts from each of the criterion teams by February 15; the development of special topic content including Adler’s anti-racism efforts, the ISPP/Argosy teach out, and our pandemic response by March 15; the assembly of relevant evidentiary documents through June 15; and ongoing editing of the final report across the spring and summer terms.

In the coming weeks, you’ll be receiving additional information about Adler’s HLC re-affirmation of accreditation process, the faculty, staff and students currently involved in the process, Adler’s successful track record of accreditation, and updates regarding Adler’s timeline and progress preparing for our November 2021 site visit. Until then, please see the attached FAQ for more information.

Thank you to the many students, staff, and faculty who are dedicating their time and writing skills as we work together to tell Adler’s story through this important process.

Sincerely,

Jo Beth Cup and Wendy Paszkiewicz
Co-chairs, HLC Comprehensive Visit Steering Committee

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