51社区

As part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that it is meeting the highest standards in education, research and service, 51社区 has entered the initial stages of reaffirming its institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

OHIO鈥檚 formal reaffirmation process is officially underway and will culminate in a campus visit by a Peer Review team which is scheduled to officially take place in March 2025.

鈥淎ccreditation is a vital aspect of OHIO鈥檚 commitment to excellence and continuous quality improvement,鈥� said Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs. 鈥淭his process allows us to publicly demonstrate both our academic quality and the value we bring to our stakeholders including our students, our communities, and the people of Ohio.鈥�

51社区's mission and vision center on providing a transformative educational experience, fostering a diverse and inclusive community, and producing graduates who are ready to lead and excel in a rapidly changing world. OHIO鈥檚 commitment to these principles will play a vital role throughout the reaffirmation process.

While the University鈥檚 reaffirmation timeline is an essential part of this process and signifies a significant institutional milestone, it鈥檚 important to note that OHIO鈥檚 journey toward reaffirmation should be viewed as a continuous path 鈥� one that is deeply embedded in the institution's mission, vision and values.

鈥淎t its core, accreditation is not merely a destination 鈥� it鈥檚 an ongoing, dynamic process that serves as a reflection of OHIO鈥檚 dedication to continuous improvement and an unwavering commitment to delivering the best possible educational experiences and outcomes for students,鈥� said Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics and Co-Chair of the Provost鈥檚 Office, Administration, Support and Policies accreditation committee Loralyn Taylor.

Ensuring broad campus representation

To ensure the success of this multifaceted endeavor, OHIO has established several committees dedicated to various aspects of reaffirmation. The decision to create multiple committees underscores the diverse nature of 51社区, its statewide footprint and regional higher education campuses and centers. 

Each committee, comprised of individuals from various backgrounds, perspectives and expertise, is focused on a specific area and contributes to a comprehensive assessment of OHIO鈥檚 academic performance and helps to ensure that every voice is heard. This inclusive approach will help to ensure that the reaffirmation process reflects the rich tapestry of 51社区 and its commitment to excellence.

Additional information on OHIO鈥檚 Institutional Accreditation Committees is available online at: ohio.edu/provost/accreditation/reaffirmation/committees

OHIO鈥檚 pathway for reaffirmation of accreditation 

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) offers two pathways to Reaffirmation of Accreditation: Standard and Open. Through the Open Pathway, 51社区 engages in a 10-year evaluation cycle to reaffirm compliance with HLC requirements and pursue institutional improvement. 

Since 2019, after HLC sunset the AQIP Pathway, 51社区 set a course on the Open Pathway. It is through these Open Pathway milestones that HLC expects 51社区 to produce evidence that it is appropriately meeting the Criteria for Accreditation.

Moving forward together

Achieving accredited status is a time and resource-intensive process that requires a commitment to institutional effectiveness and the continuous improvement of academic quality. It is a process that involves everyone 鈥� from faculty, staff and students to the valued stakeholders across our OHIO communities. 

As OHIO鈥檚 reaffirmation of accreditation moves forward, we will keep you updated on the progress of our reaffirmation efforts and opportunities for the University community to share their voices and feedback via ohio.edu/provost/accreditation/reaffirmation. 

Together, we will continue to shape the future of 51社区 and reaffirm our collective commitment to providing a world-class education.