HLC Committee—Planning for Quality Improvement
As USI wraps up final preparations for the upcoming Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaccreditation visit in February 2027, criterion committees have submitted drafts of their assurance arguments and co-chairs are working to complete edits for submission. The fourth and final committee covered in this series had the task of focusing on Criterion Four-Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning for Quality Improvement.
Led by co-chairs Dr. Michael Dixon, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Trent Engbers, Professor of Political Science and Public Administration and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program, this committee addressed how the University continues to plan and implement strategies for quality improvement.
Adaptable and Sustainable
How does USI ensure it remains strong, adaptable and sustainable for years to come?
That was the question Engbers, Dixon and their 20-member committee tackled last fall and this spring. The group examined how USI’s planning, assessment and resource stewardship shaped the long-term success of not just students, but the campus as a whole.
"Strategic planning was a huge part of where our committee pulled data," Dixon said. "But the emphasis in our assurance argument was also on how that planning has helped the University reach a level of sustainability in all of its operations spanning the campus."
The committee showed that for USI, sustainability extends well beyond finances. Members evaluated how the University manages enrollment, technology, facilities, human resources, shared governance, and infrastructure to support its mission.
Engbers noted the committee focused not only on understanding the University's planning efforts, but also on evaluating the impact. "We were trying to understand and assess where we've come from, to what degree we have been successful and identify opportunities for continued growth," he said.
Reflecting the collaborative nature of the accreditation process, the committee brought together representatives from nearly every corner of campus. Faculty, administrators and staff from admissions, finance, information technology, human resources, institutional effectiveness, the USI Foundation and other divisions contributed their expertise to the task.
With such a broad group, the committee organized its work into four primary areas of focus: enrollment and infrastructure, staffing and governance, budgeting and resource development, and assessment and planning.
"One of the things that we found as we got into the criterion is there tended to be a lot of overlap both between the areas our subgroups were focusing on and between the other criteria committees,” Engbers said.
That interconnectedness reinforced an important reality: strategic planning is not isolated within one office or committee or even criterion in the HLC Accreditation process—it influences nearly every aspect of the University’s operations.
Following the Strategic Plan
The University's strategic plan, Accelerating Impact, served as the committee's starting point. That then expanded to committee members examining how USI’s priorities have guided strategic planning efforts across academic colleges, administrative offices and support units.
"It was very encouraging to learn that almost all units across campus do engage in and have strategic plans that are being implemented," Dixon said. “And it was interesting seeing how those units developed their unique plans utilizing the University’s Accelerating Impact to guide their own planning exercises.”
Although many committee members were already familiar with the University's operations, taking a comprehensive look at institutional data revealed new perspectives. For Dixon, one of the most significant discoveries was the extensive network of shared governance and representative bodies that help guide decision-making across campus.
"When we were looking at this, it really came out how many representational bodies exist across campus and how all are committed to shared governance," he said.
Engbers was similarly impressed by the University's progress in technology planning.
"There really was quite a strategic approach to thinking about how we move technology at USI forward in a way that meets student and stakeholder needs," he said.
Together, those findings painted a picture of USI being an institution that continues to evolve through intentional planning and collaboration.
More Than an Accreditation Exercise
While reaccreditation ensures USI continues to meet the standards required by the Higher Learning Commission, both Dixon and Engbers emphasized that the process provides value far beyond maintaining accreditation status.
Engbers compared the experience to the learning process itself. "There is an inherent value in reflection," he said. "Going through an accreditation process forces a reflection that may not happen naturally." That reflection, he added, encourages meaningful conversations, thoughtful assessment and strategic planning that ultimately strengthen the institution.
Dixon said the work also requires honest evaluation. "It wasn't necessarily a reflection to provide documentation of all that we do well," he said. "It was also an exercise in finding areas where we think we can do better." By identifying opportunities for improvement alongside institutional strengths, the two co-chairs believe the process helps position USI for continued success.
A Shared Responsibility
As the University prepares for its mock site visit on August 31 and September 1, and official accreditation review in February 2027, Dixon and Engbers hope all employees recognize that accreditation belongs to the entire campus community—not just those who served on committees.
"This work is not the work of two co-chairs or a 20-member committee," Dixon said. "This work is the institution's, and every one of us plays an integral role in assuring that the University is doing what it needs to do to be successful."
Engbers encouraged employees to approach conversations with peer reviewers openly and authentically. "I think there's a temptation to think of a site visit as a first date," he said. "But we want this to be a relationship."
Rather than trying to present perfection, he encouraged the campus community to confidently share both the University's accomplishments and the strategies already in place to address opportunities for growth.
"We want to be honest," Engbers said, "and acknowledge that we have strategies in place that we're working on to address areas where we do need to grow."
Ultimately, Dixon added, that mindset reflects the true purpose of accreditation. "The goal is to improve what we do," he said. "This is an exercise in getting us to that place where we can improve upon what we were already doing well."
Be sure to be educated about the HLC Accreditation
Accreditation is a University-wide responsibility, and every employee plays a role in demonstrating USI's commitment to student success, continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness. You do not need to be an expert on accreditation. Reviewers are interested in understanding how employees contribute to USI's mission, student learning and institutional success.
To help our campus prepare for the peer review in February, USI will host a mock Higher Learning Commission campus visit on August 31 and September 1 in UC 2219-2220. Sessions will be at 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. on August 31 and 8:30 a.m. September 1.
Members of the mock review team are experienced HLC peer reviewers from other institutions who will be able to provide the University with valuable feedback and suggestions about where USI currently is in the process and recommendations to consider before the actual visit in February. All members of the campus community are invited to attend any or all the open campus forums scheduled.
For complete details on the visits, other HLC Accreditation information and the full series of stories from USI Today, visit USI.edu/usitoday/hlc-accreditation-information. The website will be updated as the process continues toward the February site visit.
If you have more questions about what HLC is or the process of accreditation, please reach out to Dr. Darrin Sorrells, HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer, by email at ddsorrells@usi.edu or by extension 5174.
The USI Today HLC Accreditation series:
USI’s HLC Accreditation work in full swing
HLC Criterion Committees — The Mission
HLC Criterion Committees —Integrity, Ethical and Responsible Conduct
HLC Criterion Committees—Teaching and Learning for Student Success
Continue to watch for more updates and follow-up stories in future issues of USI Today!