Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Iowa Lakes Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, 800-621-7440, and participates in the Standard Pathway, one of several pathways leading to reaffirmation of accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.
The Standard Pathway is one of three options institutions have for maintaining accreditation with HLC. It follows a 10-year cycle and is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement. These improvement topics are integrated into comprehensive evaluations conducted during the cycle.
Institutions undergo a comprehensive evaluation (during year four) to ensure they are meeting the Criteria for Accreditation, pursuing institutional improvement and complying with certain requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. The second comprehensive evaluation (during year ten) conducted in the Standard Pathway cycle follows the same process as the evaluation conducted in Year 4. The Year 10 evaluation leads to an action regarding the reaffirmation of the institution’s accreditation.
Criteria for Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) uses five criteria to evaluate how well Iowa Lakes Community College is performing—Mission; Integrity; Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support; Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement; and Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning. To achieve continued accreditation, Iowa Lakes Community College must adhere to the criteria for accreditation set by the Higher Learning Commission.
The institution's mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution's operations.
The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.
The institution demonstrates responsibility for, and evaluates the effectiveness of, its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, to promote continuous improvement.
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.