HLC Accreditation
What Is Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accreditation?
Accreditation is an external review and assessment process to make sure colleges, universities and education programs meet rigorous quality standards and enhancement criteria. It involves a comprehensive evaluation of what we teach, how we teach, and the equipment and educational resources we provide to give students a high-quality education. Our administrative functions are evaluated as well.
As part of this evaluation, EICC must conduct and submit a self-evaluation (or assurance argument), a peer review, and a federal compliance review. In addition, HLC will conduct a comprehensive on-site visit and a multi-college visit as part of its evaluation of our programs, methods, practices, and facilities.
EICC achieved full HLC accreditation in 1983, and the process has to be repeated every 10 years. Our most recent reaffirmation was in 2014-2015.
Why is it crucial?
The Accreditation Process
- Confirms that EICC adheres to stringent national educational criteria, and marks the excellence of our programs and services.
- Allows our students to apply for and receive federal financial assistance.
- Ensures our academic programs and training aligns with all licensing and employment requirements.
- Streamlines the transfer of academic credits to other colleges and universities.
- Holds EICC accountable to state and federal compliance standards.
- Provides valuable feedback on how well we are meeting our objectives for student learning and outcomes.
- Presents an opportunity for EICC to assess, appraise, and enhance our programs and services.
See HLC Criteria for Accreditation
HLC evaluates education quality on five criteria:
- Mission
- Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and Support
- Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
- Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
EICC’s HLC 10 Year Reaffirmation process is underway. EICC’s assurance argument is due in September 2024 and the Comprehensive Visit will occur in October 2024.
- Engagement: Actively involve a wide range of stakeholders to collect evidence for our comprehensive review, analyze institutional performance, and examine HLC feedback and recommendations.
- Transparency: Ensuring that all stakeholders are well informed about the processes and activities tied to accreditation.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify programs and practices that enhance EICC's overall success and create or enhance others that align with our student-focused mission.
- Reaffirmation: Meet all criteria set by HLC and federal compliance requirements to secure ongoing accreditation.
- Assurance Argument – The Assurance Argument is provided as a point of reference. Links are not active within the document.
- 2019 Open Pathway Mid-Cycle Review Report
- 2023 Multi-Location for Maquoketa High School and Button Factory, EICC Submitted Report
- 2023 Multi-Location Visit for Maquoketa High School and Button Factory HLC Final Report
- Engagement of Faculty and Staff
- Criterion Committees Convened
- SWOT Analysis
- Evidence Gathering
- Outline and Draft Assurance Argument
- Federal Compliance Review
- Faculty File Review
- Evidence Gathering Continues
- Drafts Argument completed
- Stakeholder review and input into Assurance Argument
- Final Reviews of Evidence and Assurance Argument
- Approvals for Submission
- Assurance Argument Due
- Federal Compliance Due
- Final Preparation
- Comprehensive and Multi-Campus Visit
Ten Year Cycle
First Accredited by HLC 1983.
Most Recent Reaffirmation of Accreditation 2014-2015.
Ten Year Accreditation Cycle for Open Pathway
| Years 1 – 3 | Prepare Assurance Filing |
|---|---|
| Year 3 | Multi Location Visit, Campus Review 2017 Blong Technology Center and Clinton Technology Center 2018 New Urban Campus |
| Year 4 | Assurance Review, 2019 |
| Years 5 – 7 | Quality Initiative Proposal, EICC – Assessment Academy |
| Years 7 – 9 | Quality Initiative Report, 2022 - Assessment Academy, Genuine Effort |
| Year 8 | Multi Location Visit 2023 Maquoketa High School, Button Factory, Completed with Concerns |
| Year 10 | Comprehensive Evaluation, Reaffirmation Visit Assurance Argument – Due September 9 2024 Federal Compliance Review – Due September 9, 2024 Comprehensive and Multi Campus Visit – October 7 |
HLC Criterion Committee Meetings
HLC Criterion Committees
Team Co-Leads
- Erin Snyder, Chief Communications Officer
- Lysa Hegland, Director of Operation and Resource Development
EICC Board of Trustees
- TBD
Administration
- Matt Schmit, Dean of Manufacturing and Skilled Trades
- Scott Schneider, Dean of Adult Education
- Katie Watson, Business Solutions Consultant
- Alex Batten, Associate Director of Concurrent Enrollment Students
- Nichole Friedrichsen, Assistant Director of Strategy and Resource Development
- Tishly Herrington, Interim Dean of Students – CCC
- Cory Holloway, Lead Gear Up Coach
Faculty Representation
- Melek Genc Mayerle, Faculty
- John DaBeet, Faculty
- Sheila Harris, Faculty
Staff Representation
- Steve Cravens, Trio Director
- Jill Holler, Disabilities Resources Coordinator
- Heather Evans, Assistant Director of Admissions
Team Co-Leads
- Megan Hills, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assessment
- Naomi DeWinter, President – MCC, Vice Chancellor of Student Development
EICC Board of Trustees
- TBD
Administration
- Amy Hanzelin, Executive Director of Business Services
- Brooke Sweeney-Adrian, Director of Human Resources
- Johnna Kerres, Associate Director of Marketing
- Jane Haugland, District Financial Aid Officer
- Nichole Friedrichsen, Assistant Director of Strategy and Resource Development
- Shelly Cram Rahlf, Dean of Students – MCC
- Michelle Rasmussen, Dean of e-Learning and Instructional Technology
- Cory Holloway, Lead Gear Up Coach
Faculty Representation
- Chris Knudsen, Faculty
- Andrea Williams, Faculty, New Faculty Development
- Andrew Williams, Faculty
Staff Representation
- Anabelia Calderon-Flores, High School Advisor
- Jill Naab, Student Engagement Coordinator
Team Co-Leads
- Nicole Gullion, Dean of Curriculum and Concurrent Enrollment
- Ann Lawler, Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and President – SCC
Administration
- Matt Schmit, Dean of Manufacturing and Skilled Trades
- Gabe Knight, Dean of Liberal Arts
- Deb Lowman, Associate Dean of Library and Learning Resources
- Mike Beane, Dean of Students – SCC
- Brandon Lange, Assistant Dean of Online, Arts and Sciences
Faculty Representation
- Gretchen Freed, Faculty
- Gina Bielski, Faculty, New Faculty Development
- William Hansen, Faculty
- Tom Arends, Faculty
- Barb Nichol, Faculty
Staff Representation
- Robin Mitchell, Manager of Records and Registration – MCC
- Anqelique Kimble, Advisor
Team Co-Leads
- Megan Hills, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assessment
- Jeremy Pickard, Dean of Ag, Business and Professional Services
Administration
- Erin Snyder, Chief Communications Officer
- Dawn Boettcher, Dean of Health Sciences
- Jill Johnson, Associate Director of Concurrent Enrollment Faculty
- Terri Carton, Associate Dean of Students/Academic Advising
Faculty Representation
- Isaac Newman, Faculty
- Ezequiel Gonzalez, Faculty
- Megan Edens, Faculty
- Carrie Jackson, Faculty
- Ashley Hartwig, Faculty
Staff Representation
- Mat Endress, Advisor
- Erica Ewert, Career Services
Team Co-Leads
- Erin Snyder, Chief Communications Officer
- Brian Kelly, Vice Chancellor of Strategy, Support, & Planning / President – CCC
EICC Board of Trustees
- TBD
Administration
- Suteesh Tandon, Vice Chancellor of Administration and CFO
- Naomi DeWinter, President – MCC, Vice Chancellor of Student Development
- Ann Eiseman, Assistant to the President/Foundation Director
- Justin Sampson, Associate Director of Business Services
- Nichole Friedrichsen, Assistant Director of Strategy and Resource Development
- Cheryl Welsch, Chief Information Officer
Faculty Representation
- Jeff Kaufmann, Faculty
- Christopher Legel, Faculty
- Steve Barleen, Faculty
- Tina Solhiem, Faculty/Professional Development Council
Staff Representation
- Daniel Dankert, Manager of Academic Advising and Student Success
- Gabe Hearn, Lead Gear Up Coach