Illinois State University has earned full reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The accreditation is continuous until the 2024-2025 academic year and comes with no concerns or monitoring, the highest level of accreditation a university can receive.
“Reaccreditation is an external validation of the excellent programs and outstanding faculty and staff at Illinois State University,” said Associate Provost Jim Jawahar, who served as the chairperson of the University’s reaccreditation effort. “The site visit team was impressed with the University’s accomplishments, so we fully expected and have received continuous reaccreditation until 2024-2025.”
Accreditation Steering Committee work teams, formed in January 2013, compiled supporting documents and produced a narrative describing the University’s outstanding work in the areas of institutional mission, ethical conduct, teaching and learning practices, institutional resources, and planning. A separate federal compliance document was also completed. Feedback from faculty, staff, students, administrators, and the Board of Trustees was incorporated into documents submitted to the HLC. An HLC site visit team was on campus in April for meetings with work teams, faculty, staff, and students.
“Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission shows that Illinois State not only meets, but exceeds nationally endorsed higher education standards and is engaged in continuous improvement,” said President Larry Dietz. “I congratulate the Accreditation Steering Committee work teams and all of the University community members who contributed to the reaccreditation process over the past two years. Their hard work and dedication to the University is greatly appreciated.”
Illinois State participated in the HLC Open Pathways pilot program, a streamlined process that significantly reduced the volume of documents and other materials collected to support the University’s application for reaccreditation.
“The documentation that was submitted highlighted Illinois State’s excellent academic programs, its commitment to student learning and success, and its attention to detail in all aspects of University operations,” said Provost Janet Krejci. “The Higher Learning Commission’s findings are not surprising given how well the different areas of the University work together. Accreditation with no concerns or monitoring is an affirmation of the great work being done here.”
