USI’s HLC Accreditation work in full swing - January 2026
Series introduction describing what the HLC is, the accreditation process and what work USI committees were charged with.
What is Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation? What work is the University doing for accreditation and what should USI employees know about this process? This page features USI Today stories and other important information for USI employees to access as the University moves through the phases of HLC accreditation.
If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to Dr. Darrin Sorrels, HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), by email at ddsorrells@usi.edu or by extension 5174.
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.
What you can do:
USI will host a mock Higher Learning Commission (HLC) campus visit on August 31 and September 1 to prepare for the University's actual HLC visit on February 22-23, 2027.
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. Locations will be announced closer to the mock visit dates.
During each session, members of the mock review team will ask attendees to provide feedback about various HLC criteria, such as how individuals work to achieve the USI mission and strategic goals, teaching and learning, assessment of learning, student success initiatives and promoting academic freedom on campus.
Please reach out to Dr. Darrin Sorrells, USI’s Accreditation Liaison Officer to the HLC, at ddsorrells@usi.edu if you have any questions prior to the mock visit.
Monday, August 31
2:30-3:10 p.m.
Open Campus Forum—HLC Criteria One and Four (Focus on Institutional Mission, Strategic Planning and Enrollment)
Location TBA
3:15-3:55 p.m.
Open Campus Forum—HLC Criterion Three (Focus on Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Student Success)
Location TBA
Tuesday, September 1
8:30-9:10 a.m.
Open Campus Forum—HLC Criterion Two (Focus on Academic Freedom, Governance and Ethical Use of Information)
Location TBA
