HLC Committee connects with campus community during Faculty-Staff opening workshops

The St. Catherine University’s HLC Steering Committee presented an update to faculty and staff Wednesday, Aug. 29 during the University’s opening workshops.

Led by Senior VP Colleen Hegranes and Asst. VP and Dean of the School of the Humanities, Arts and Sciences (SHAS) and College for Women Alan Silva, the committee presented an overview of their efforts over the past academic year and what to expect for the upcoming year as St. Kate’s prepares for the February 2013 site visit.

Hegranes reviewed foundational information in her “HLC 101” portion, including the importance of accreditation to the institution, identifying members of the HLC Committee and the theme of the self-study that will be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission in advance of the site visit.

She also explained that the title of the self-study, “From College to University: Eight Directions to Five Destinations in Ten Years,” refers to the University’s Vision 2020 Strategic Plan and its eight strategic directions and five destination metrics that was adopted following the institution’s name change from college to university in 2009.

Silva outlined the five major criteria that the Higher Learning Commission finalized in spring of 2012 and reminded the community that a critical task this fall will be the assembly of the HLC document room.

Lead writers Brian Fogarty, professor of sociology, and Lynda Szymanski, associate dean of SHAS, were joined by HLC Steering Committee members Jennie Robinson Kloos, director of institutional research, planning and assessment, and Deb Sellheim, professor in the doctor of physical therapy program, to discuss key facts and key learnings from individual chapters of the self-study.

In addition, Brian Bruess, vice-president of enrollment management and student affairs, discussed the accreditation process and site visit in 2003 that he co-chaired and offered his advice and experience.

He also walked the audience through “top ten talking points” about the University assembled by HLC Steering Committee members Amata Miller, IHM, economics professor and director of the Myser Initiative and Curt Galloway, dean of students.

HLC Steering Committee member Paul Buttenhoff provided the comic relief with two short “quizzes” that tested the audiences’ knowledge of the University’s vision and mission statements as well as key facts.

In closing, Silva asked the community for their cooperation to make any request for information or documents a priority as the HLC Committee prepares for the HLC site team visit. Questions or feedback can be addressed to: hlc@stkate.edu.

He announced that the self-study would be available for the campus community’s review in the next several weeks. It will be available on the Academic Affairs website inside KateWay and anyone with a St. Kate’s email address will be able to access and download it. Everyone will be notified via “Daily Update” messages and other communications.

To learn more
The full prezi presentation is available for viewing.