Last Thursday I shared that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has reaffirmed Drake’s accreditation. To have the HLC see that we are successfully completing our mission speaks volumes to the work of our faculty and staff, and validates the strength of our institution.
The team reported perceived strengths around Drake as a mission-driven university with an excellent reputation; strong academic programs; committed and accomplished faculty and dedicated staff; sound and transparent fiscal stewardship; improved initiatives in the area of diversity and inclusion; and improvements in communication, transparency, and accountability.
The HLC’s evaluation is based on five primary criteria: (1) Mission; (2) Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct; (3) Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support; (4) Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement; and (5) Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness. Each criterion includes multiple core components and subcomponents. The site visit team is required to render a determination for each of the five criteria, as well as for each core component, indicating that it is either (a) Met, (b) Met with concerns, or (c) Not met.
Drake met all 19 criteria and components reviewed by the commission, 17 of which were met unconditionally and two were “met with concerns.” These two areas of improvement include record keeping pertaining to employee qualifications and performance reviews, and assessment of student learning. A plan to address and improve these areas will be developed, and progress will be reported to the HLC. The accreditation review also included a Quality Initiative that is intended to allow institutions to design an effort to suit its current concerns or aspirations. Drake’s project focused on crafting innovative, institution-based approaches to achieving inclusive excellence. View a summary of the HLC report and the Quality Initiative Report.
Successful completion of our reaffirmation of accreditation is due to the efforts of many people over the course of several years. An important component of the commission’s decision was the on-site evaluation last October. I am grateful to the many faculty and staff who attended the open forums – your participation attested to our engaged and committed campus culture.
On behalf of President Martin and the Drake University Board of Trustees, I would like to commend the entire University on this achievement, and in particular, the members of the HLC Steering Committee co-chaired by Craig Owens and Kevin Saunders, who dauntlessly managed the accreditation process from start to finish. In addition, I want to recognize the successful efforts of the Quality Initiative, including the “We Make Drake” Climate Survey and action plan. A special thanks to Melissa Sturm-Smith, Renee Cramer, and Michael Couvillon for their leadership in this area. The review team positively noted that “Drake University has invested broadly in this initiative through the time and action of leadership, faculty and staff; the engagement of a consulting firm; and taking direct action and planning for data driven future actions.”
The success of our reaffirmation of accreditation is a clear indication of the exceptional learning environment upheld at Drake, and personally, I am deeply proud to be part of such an outstanding institution.
— Sue Mattison, Provost