Reaffirmation for Accreditation
HLC requires each institution to undergo Reaffirmation of Accreditation every ten years. Central to this process is the institutional self-study that results the submission of the Assurance Arguments and supporting evidence. The Criterion links will take you to the College’s final Assurance Arguments, we encourage you to read the final document.
College President Dr. Kim Dale
Accreditation Liaison Officer (AOL) Mark Rembacz
HLC Steering Committee Kim Dale, Mark Rembacz, Burt Reynolds, Cliff Wittstruck, Kasey Damori, Cammie Pollastro, Beth Gard, Joy Adams, Nicole Castillon, Steve Iriki, Kandy Frink, Kim Rembacz
Federal Compliance Team—*Steve Iriki, Jennifer Griffin, Lu Sweet, Dustin Conover, Lyndsey Love, Cassie Jensen
Criterion 1 Team—Mission *Kandy Frink, David Tate, Kim Rembacz, Stacie Lynch-Newberg, Alex Schumacher, Eric Delora, Heather Pristash
Criterion 2 Team—Integrity, Ethical & Responsible Conduct
*Beth Gard, Leesa Lee, Katie Pastor, Shane Westfall, Christine Maddy, Megan Gabol, Susie Rawlings, Kandy Frink
Criterion 3 Team—Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources & Support
*Cliff Wittstruck, Amy Galley, Liane Lamb, Nicole Castillon, Shelby Williams, Lusi Stephens, Carlton Dewick, Katrina Marcos, Jim Forbes, Peg Larson, David Tanner, Josh Grant
Criterion 4 Team—Teaching and Learning: Evaluation & Improvement
*Cammie Pollastro, Aaron Jensen, Deanne Garner, Jennifer Allen, Sarah Pauley
Criterion 5 Team—Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
* Burt Reynolds, Mark Rembacz, Tammy Register, Derek Robinson, Joy Adams, Debbie Baker
*Represents team liaison.
Accreditation is an external review process assuring colleges, universities and education programs meet rigorous standards for quality assurance and improvement. Through institutional self-evaluation, peer review and institutional response, accreditation evaluates formal educational activities as well as institutional operations essential to the effectiveness of a college.
Western Wyoming Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of colleges and schools. Western was first accredited by The Higher Learning Commission in 1976, Western received it last reaffirmation of accreditation in 2014 and is scheduled for its next reaffirmation on November 7-8, 2022.
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Western has transitioned from an AQIP Pathway to the Open Pathway Comprehensive evaluation. Through HLC's Pathways for Reaffirmation of Accreditation, accredited institutions complete periodic reviews on a 10-year cycle to ensure they continue to meet the Criteria for Accreditation and pursue institutional improvement. These reviews take place concurrently with HLC's regular oversight activities, such as the Institutional Update, substantive change requests, institutional monitoring and other processes.
2017-2018 ACTION PROJECT UPDATE AND REVIEW
Transition to Year 6 of the Open Pathway OPEN PATHWAY
2018-20 QUALITY INITIATIVE PROPOSAL
2019-22 QUALITY INITIATIVE REPORT
2022-23 COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
WHY IS ACCREDITATION IMPORTANT?
Accreditation assures that Western meets the highest national educational standards, and
- Affirms that Western is providing quality educational experiences for students.
- Allows Western students to receive federal financial aid.
- Aids in meeting licensure and employment requirements.
- Provides valuable feedback on how well Western is meeting its goal for student learning.
- Creates an opportunity for Western to assess, evaluate and improve its programs and services.
The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which HLC determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. They are as follows:
Criterion 1. Mission
The institution’s mission is articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.
Criterion 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
The institution acts with integrity: its conduct is ethical and responsible.
Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and Support
The institution provides quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.
Criterion 4. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
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.
Criterion 5. Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
The institution’s resources, structures, processes and planning are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Celebrate the Colleges strengths while identifying areas of improvement and creating the necessary processes to enhance further progress.