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 Site Visit Schedule — March 15 - 17 | ||
| Sunday, March 15 | ||
| Team arrives (varied arrivals), Team dinner | ||
| Day 1: Monday, March 16, morning | ||
| Time | Activity | |
| 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. | Team coordinates travel to campus / visiting team establishes working location on campus | |
| 8:15 - 8:30 a.m | Meeting with President and Leadership Team (Sarah Robb, Ed.D.) | |
| 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. | Meeting with Assurance Process Committee (all team members) | |
| 9:30 - 11 a.m | Tour of campus and programs (2 - 3 review team members) | |
| 10 - 10:50 a.m. | Staff Forum (Open to all Staff) — TTC 4240 | |
| 11 - 11:50 a.m. | Area of Focus: Academic Policy — TTC 4370/80 | |
| 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch with Students TTC 4240 (Lunch served in 4230) | |
| Day 1: Monday, March 16, afternoon | ||
| 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Area of Focus: Criterion 4 TTC 4370/80 |
Area of Focus: Dual Credit/EMC TTC 2410 |
| 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. | Open Forum, Criteria 1&2 TTC 4370/80 |
Open Forum: Criterion 3 TTC 4240 |
| 4 - 5 p.m. | Faculty Forum (Open to all Faculty) TTC 4240 |
Area of Focus: Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness TTC 4370/80 |
| 5 - 5:30 p.m. | Drop-in Session for additional information or to finish answers TTC 2410 |
Work Session for the rest of the Peer Review Team |
| 5 - 5:30 p.m. | HLC Visiting Team leaves campus | |
| Day 2: Tuesday, March 17, morning | ||
| 7:45 a.m. | HLC Visiting Team arrives on campus — to the working location | |
| 8 - 9 a.m. | Breakfast with Board Members | |
| 9:15 - 10:45 a.m | Area of Focus: Assessment & Program Review - TTC 4240 | |
| 11 a.m. - Noon | Area of Focus: Student Services - TTC 4240 | |
| Noon - 1 p.m | HLC Visiting Team — working lunch, prepare for exit meeting | |
| 1 - 1:30 p.m. | Exit Meeting with Leadership Team, team departs campus | |
| Day 2: Tuesday, March 17, afternoon | ||
| 2 p.m. - TBD | Team work time at hotel | |
The Higher Learning Commission site visit team joining Kalamazoo Valley March 16-17, 2026 consists of experienced peer reviewers from accredited institutions. Each member brings specialized expertise in higher education leadership, academic quality and institutional effectiveness. This overview introduces each of the reviewers assigned to Valley who will be leading the work during the upcoming site visit.
- Valley's HLC site visit Chair is Sarah Robb, Ed.D. Her current role is Vice President for Student Learning at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas. Dr. Robb's Doctorate of Education, with an emphasis in Education Policy and Leadership, was earned from Baker University in 2017. Robb's background includes a Master's of Science degree, work in the role of Coordinator of Assessment, Biological Sciences Faculty and Faculty Senate Chair.
- Ryan Newton, Ph.D. joins the review team as a full-time Psychology Instructor from Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and a Master of Arts degree from Southern Connecticut State University, both in Psychology. Dr. Newton's additional teaching experience includes instruction in Psychology at Linfield College and Chemeketa Community College.
- LoShay Willis, Ed.D. is the Dean of Career Programs at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois. Dr. Willis's educational path includes an Associate's of Science and a Bachelor's of Science in Health sciences, and a Master of Business Administration- all from Indiana University Northwest. Her Doctorate of Education was earned from Olivet Nazarene University, with an emphasis in Ethical Leadership. Dr. Willis's roles at Moraine Valley Community College include a full-time Faculty position, Department Chair of Health Sciences and Assistant Dean of Career Programs.
- Jeremy L. Reece, M.S., is completing his Doctorate at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and is an HLC reviewer from West Memphis, Arkansas. Reece is the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Arkansas State University Mid-South. He holds two degrees from the University of Memphis- a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in English and Political Science, along with a Master of Science with special focus on Education Policy and Leadership, Student Personnel Administration and Higher Education. As a Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, he holds a specialization in Adult Learning and Leadership. Reece has held positions at Arkansas State University, Mid-South as a Counselor, part-time Faculty, Coordinator, Director of Enrollment Services, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Athletic Director.
- Matthew Fowler, Ph.D., serves as President of Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Illinois. He earned his Doctorate in Higher Education and Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, following a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Millikin University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Morehead State University. Dr. Fowler has led Wabash Valley College for the past 19 years, bringing extensive executive experience in institutional leadership and accreditation to the HLC review team visiting Kalamazoo Valley.
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. As of September 2025, the HLC's revised Criterion takes effect, Kalamazoo Valley has made the appropriate updates to align our Assurance Argument with the respective changes:
- 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
In fulfilling its mission, the institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible. - Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning for Student Success
The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. The rigor and quality of each educational program is consistent regardless of modality, location or other differentiating factors - Criterion 4: Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
The institution’s resources, structures, policies, procedures and planning enable it to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational programs, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Please review HLC's revised criteria crosswalk for additional details.
Use the links below to access concise summaries of the key topics addressed in each HLC Criterion within the Kalamazoo Valley Assurance Argument.
| Criterion 1 briefing |
| Criterion 2 briefing |
| Criterion 3 briefing |
| Criterion 4 briefing |
| 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 |
If you would like to revisit previous KV Focus Plus or InFocus student newsletters that contain HLC-related information, please use the following links to locate those publications.