Higher Learning Commission Re-Accreditation

Kalamazoo Valley is on the Open Pathway, which includes a 10-year accreditation cycle. Every 10 years the college undergoes a Comprehensive Evaluation which reaffirms the college’s accreditation status. Within the 10-year cycle there is an Assurance Review (year four) and a Quality Initiative Project (Years 7-9). In Winter 2020 Kalamazoo Valley successfully completed its year four Assurance Review. The Comprehensive Evaluation will take place in academic year 2025-2026, which involves:

• A written Assurance Argument addressing the Criteria for Accreditation
• Federal Compliance Review
• On-Site Peer Review Visit

Kalamazoo Valley began the process to compile the Assurance Argument in Winter 2022. This process of self-evaluation contributes to continual improvement, aligning the college with its mission, reviewing the college's commitment to ethical practices, assessing and improving the high quality of educational offerings and analyzing the strategic use of resources. This work takes place through HLC Criterion Teams made up of faculty, staff and administrators. There is a team for each of the five criteria:

• Criterion 1. Mission
  The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.
• Criterion 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
  The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
• Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
  The institution provides quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.
• Criterion 4: Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
  The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.
• Criterion 5: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
  The institution’s resources, structures, processes and planning are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.

Re-Accreditation Preparation
2021-2022	Invite Criterion Teams and Train Teams Identify Areas For Improvement
2022-2023	Criterion Teams Brainstorm Evidence Address Areas of Improvement
2023-2024	Compile Evidence, Complete Outline & Begin Writing Argument Launch College-Wide Communication in March
2024-2025	Write Assurance Argument Editorial Reviews
2025-2026	Review by Various Groups Assurance Argument Lock Date: February 15 Site Visit: March 16-17