51��Ƶ

A “Coming Soon” movie-style poster hangs in the Renick University Center. The dates listed: Nov. 13 and 14. The star attraction? The work, time and talent of the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn community.

Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs and Integrative Learning Mitch Sollenberger says the posters are promoting the Higher Learning Commission accreditation team and their visit to campus next month. Every decade, HLC reviewers conduct a comprehensive evaluation of an academic institution to ensure it meets or exceeds its . If it does, the university receives reaffirmation of accreditation. Because HLC is a federally recognized agency, its “stamp of approval” enables colleges and universities to accept federal aid funding in students’ financial aid packages.

“There has been a lot of advancement at our institution since our last HLC visit — and we passed that one with flying colors,” Sollenberger says. “But there is always room for improvement. We’ve taken feedback from HLC’s last visit to better track outcomes, create streamlined systems and more, and continue to move 51��Ƶ-Dearborn and its mission forward. By we, I mean the leadership, faculty and staff of this campus. We are in a great position because of the work everyone has done.”

The university has earned accreditation through HLC since 1970. On the surface, an accreditation process might seem daunting or dry. But Sollenberger and his campuswide HLC Coordination Team see it as a chance to showcase the starpower that’s right on campus. Hence, the posters.

Events during the reviewers’ visit include three campus forums that 51��Ƶ-Dearborn faculty and staff are highly encouraged to attend. There also will be a student-focused HLC event, along with more targeted meetings with selected groups. Dates will be announced in early November.

To prepare for these very important two days, here are three Sollenberger wants the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn community to know.

The university is in a great position thanks to the work done by faculty and staff

Sollenberger, who has been on the HLC preparation team since the 2013 HLC visit, says 51��Ƶ-Dearborn continues to advance due to the dedicated employees who care about the university’s mission to be a caring, inclusive, student-focused institution. 

For example, external research funding doubled in the past five years — this is important to Dearborn Wolverine students who have the opportunity to do undergraduate research. Also, services that address student support needs and the grievance process have been streamlined so that students can put their energy into working toward graduation goals — and it's working. Four-year graduation rates keep increasing; this year’s numbers show they’ve increased 5% over last year’s 3% increase.

“There are so many points of pride here and faculty, staff and students made it happen,” he says. “We’ve always done great things here, but much of the strategy or outcome documentation behind what we did was non-existent 10 years ago. This allows us to assess and continue to advance.”

If you are selected to speak with HLC reviewers, you’ll have advance notice

Sollenberger says the HLC review team has the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn reports that highlight the five criterion areas — namely, the university’s mission; policies and processes that ensure fair and ethical behavior; academic rigor; high quality student services and quality of educational offerings; and systemic planning. Once the HLC reads the report, they will reach out with follow-up questions and requests for meetings. That’s when Sollenberger and others on the university’s HLC Coordination Team will know which members of the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn community to invite to meetings with the reviewers. All meetings will take place in a group setting on campus.

“We now have key-performance indicators. That’s something we didn’t have 10 years ago and the HLC reviewers might want to know what the process developing those looked like,” says Sollenberger, noting that this is just an example. “It’s one thing to read about something in a report. It’s another thing to talk to the people behind it, learn how new developments came to be and to see them in action. It’s exciting to talk to the people who took something from an idea to reality.”

For areas highlighted by HLC, Sollenberger says he’ll reach out to the faculty and staff members at the end of October to confirm availability and help people prepare for questions that may be asked.

Honesty is the best policy

Sollenberger says HLC reviewers want honesty and recognize that organizations are complex and that creation, implementation and transformation can be messy even with planning and strategy. He encourages those participating in interviews to “just be yourself.”

“Give an honest response based on your perspective. There is no wrong answer,” Sollenberger says. “As someone who’s been working on the report and toward this visit for years, I can say that I’m feeling very confident. And I want you to feel confident too. This visit gives us an outlet to showcase what we’ve done to advance the university. Reading the report, it’s amazing to see so many achievements and enhancements listed in one place.”

If you have questions about the HLC visit or want more information, visit the HLC website — where you can find the final HLC report, a video of the HLC preparation session, and the “Preparing for the Visit” PowerPoint — or reach out to Sollenberger.

HLC Coordination Team members are Sollenberger, Director of Academic Success Jess LaGrange, Assistant Dean for Assessment and Accreditation Susan Everett, Financial Services Director Noel Hornbacher, Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Director Rick Michalski and History Professor Pam Pennock.

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.