Baker University 2021 HLC Accreditation Reaffirmation Dr. Lynne

Baker University 2021 HLC Accreditation Reaffirmation Dr. Lynne Murray, President Ms. Ramie Nation, University Registrar/Advisor to the President for Accreditation

What is Accreditation? Accreditation is a voluntary activity initiated by the institution. It requires a rigorous self-evaluation and an independent, objective peer appraisal of the overall quality of the institution. Institutions must meet specific requirements established by the accrediting agency to achieve and maintain accreditation. Institutions are also responsible for staying informed and in compliance with other institutional policies set forth by the accrediting agency. Accrediting bodies frequently review institutional adherence to expectations to ensure quality higher education. Accreditation of an institution may come under review at any time as the institution’s circumstances change. 2

Accreditation Value Importance of accreditation: Validates the quality of an institution’s academic programs at all degree levels Examines the quality of an institution as a whole Plays a huge role in attracting and maintaining students Requirement for federal student aid eligibility Required for transfer of credit to and from most institutions Helps employers determine the validity of a degree Required for many certification exams 3

The Higher Learning Commission Baker University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, or HLC, and has held continuous accreditation since 1913. HLC is one of seven regional accrediting bodies, which are bound by location territories. HLC is recognized as being authorized to accredit degree granting institutions incorporated in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming or federally authorized sovereign nations that are authorized (licensed) by the same state or nation to award higher degrees (associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees (both research and professional).

HLC Accreditation Information Baker University participates in the Standard Pathway for accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. The Standard Pathway follows a 10-year cycle for maintaining accreditation This pathway is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement. Improvement topics are integrated into comprehensive evaluations conducted during the cycle, as well as through interim monitoring, as required. In addition to regular monitoring, institutional reviews occur during year 4 (comprehensive evaluation) and year 10 (comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation) of the cycle. 5

10-year Standard Pathway Year 1: 2012-13 Year 2: 2013-14 Year 3: 2014-15 Year 4: 2015-16 Year 5: 2016-17 Year 6: 2017-18 Year 7: 2018-19 Year 10: 2021-22 Year 8: 2019-20 Year 9: 2020-21 6

Baker Recent Accreditation History 2011-12: 10-year Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation and Multi Campus Visit to Overland Park Reaffirmation of accreditation confirmed with interim report required for Criterion 2 - planning and planning outcomes. 2013: Focused Monitoring Visit 2015-16: 4-year Comprehensive Evaluation Concerns from 10-year visit (Criterion 2) rectified Evaluation confirmed with interim report required for Criterion 3 - faculty qualifications within graduate programs. 2017: Multi Campus Visit to Overland Park Concerns from 4-year visit (Criterion 3) rectified 2018: Interim Report for new programs – MS SAHE and EdD IDPT 2019: Multi Campus Visit to School of Nursing 7

HLC Upcoming Visit Dates Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation November 15-17, 2021 Baldwin City Campus November 15-16 Overland Park Campus November 17 8

Peer Review Team Chair: Dr. Larry Grieshaber (In-Person) Professor Emeritus, Healthcare Management Maryville University of St. Louis Education Purdue University: B.S. (Pharmacy-1974); Ph.D. (Administration, Pharm-1977) University of Missouri-Saint Louis: Graduate Certificate (International Studies1993) Dr. Wilson Richard (Bill) Kuhn (In-Person) Vice President of Student Development Crown College Education Crown College: B.A. (Pastoral Leadership1992) Indiana Wesleyan University: M.A. (Ministerial Education-2005) St. Mary’s University of Minnesota: Ed.D. (Leadership-2012)

Peer Review Team (cont.) Elizabeth (Beth) McGrath (Virtual) Vice President for Business & Finance Clarke University Education Clark University: B.A. (Accounting-1999) St. Ambrose University: M.B.A. (Business Administration-2005) Dr. Marty Spears (Virtual) Provost Harding University Education Harding University: B.S. (Mathematics1988) Rice University: M.A. (Statistics-1992); Ph.D. (Statistics-1993)

Peer Review Team (cont.) Dr. Caryn Chaden (Virtual) Associate Provost for Student Success and Accreditation; Associate Professor, English DePaul University Education Grinnell College: B.A. (English-1976) University of Virginia: M.A. (English-1979); Ph.D. (English-1989) Ann Miller Wood (Virtual Federal Compliance Reviewer) Dean and Senior Professor Emeritus Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley School of Law

2021-22 Assurance Argument Criteria for Accreditation Criterion 1. Mission Criterion 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support Criterion 4: Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement Criterion 5: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning Federal Compliance Multi-Campus Visit COVID-19 Institutional Response 12

Criterion 1 The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations. Baker University Committee Lead Chair: Dr. Trilla Lyerla Lead Committee Members: Eileen Sherman, Dr. Don Clardy

Criterion 2 The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible. Baker University Committee Lead Chair: REV. Kevin Hopkins Lead Committee Member: Dr. Libby Rosen

Criterion 3 The institution provides quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered. Baker University Committee Lead Chair: Molly Smith Lead Committee Members: Dr. Erin Morris, Dr. Ryan Olsen

Criterion 4 The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement. Baker University Committee Lead Chair: Dr. Tamara Slankard Lead Committee Members: Tereasa Gilmore, Dr. Pam Best

Criterion 5 The institution’s resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities. Baker University Committee Lead Chair: Melissa Van Leiden Lead Committee Members: Kevin Conley, Darla Prather, Ray Walling

Federal Compliance Team Lead Chair: Eric Hays Lead Committee Members: Nick Goodman, Denise Johnson, Nate Poell Editorial Review Team Lead Chair: Martha Harris Lead Committee Members: Dr. Susan Rogers, Dr. Peg Waterman 18

Dean Review Team Dr. Cassy Bailey Russell Dr. Kirk Haskins Dr. Verneda Edwards Dr. Darcy Dr. Mary Hobus Executive Review Team Nate Houser Dr. Shelly Kneuvean Danielle Jones Rease Dr. Darcy Russell Dr. Lynne Murray Assurance System Coordinators Susan England Ramie Nation 19

Assurance Argument The full Assurance Argument was submitted to HLC on October 18th. A copy of the report, to include Introduction and Criterion Reports, is now available for review. Trustees: Available on Moodle Site Faculty and Staff: Available on Baker U Intranet in All Documents tab Students: Available in Academic Dean’s Offices 20

What to Expect Next A final schedule will be created by the Peer Review Team and distributed to Baker approximately 1 week prior to visit. Up to five large-group open forums will be held to which faculty, staff, and/or students will be invited. Open forum topics will be determined by the Peer Review Team and center around each Criterion. Individual and small group meetings will be scheduled on Monday (11/15), Tuesday morning (11/16), and Wednesday (11/17). Trustees will meet with the Peer Review Team for lunch on Monday, November 15 (exact time TBA). 21

Results Timeline First draft of the report due from Peer Review Team to HLC on 11/29. Baker will have the opportunity to review any recommendations and verify that they are supported by the team’s cited evidence. Second draft of the report will then be submitted to Baker for a fact check (factual error correction only). Final report then goes to HLC’s Institutional Action Council (IAC) to take action on the recommendations from the Peer Review Team. Baker will have the opportunity to respond, refute, or demonstrate how we will (or are) addressing concerns. 22

Questions? Ramie Nation [email protected] 23

Mission Baker University is committed to assuring student learning and developing confident, competent, and responsible contributors to society.