The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is preparing for a campus visit from the Higher Learning Commission to achieve reaccreditation for the university. 

A peer review team of seven faculty and higher education professionals will visit campus all day Monday, Feb. 24, and the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 25. 

During the campus visit, members of the team will ask questions of UA Little Rock faculty, staff, students, and visitors. It’s important for members of the university community to be familiar with the five criteria used to evaluate the institution.

Criterion 1 is all about the university’s mission. The peer review team will be looking closely at how well UA Little Rock’s mission is known and how it’s communicated to the public. 

“HLC believes that a quality college understands its purpose: Who are we? Where are we headed? How will we get there? What are our values, our distinctive characteristics? What are our essential activities? Who are our stakeholders?” said Dr. Erin Finzer, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and chair of the Higher Learning Commission Steering Committee.

The core components of Criterion 1 include: 

1.A. The institution’s mission is broadly understood within the institution and its operations.

1.B. The mission is articulated publicly.

1.C. The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society.

1.D. The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good.

Members of the university community can prepare for questions about Criterion 1 by familiarizing themselves and others with the university’s mission, vision statements and strategic goals, which can be found on UA Little Rock’s mission page.

What are the questions you may be asked regarding Criterion 1? 

How would you describe UA Little Rock’s mission?

How do you contribute to the university’s mission?

Do you know where you would find the official statement?

What are the university’s strategic planning goals?

How does UA Little Rock serve the public good?

Members of the peer review team are looking for candid and thoughtful answers that demonstrate that the university’s employees and students understand the mission, its vision for the future, and how the institution will serve the public good.

“HLC looks for institutions who respond to what their stakeholders need most,” Finzer said. “HLC also looks for campus communities that understand and buy into their mission and for institutions that  align their resources with their mission. Perhaps more than any other regional accrediting body, HLC values the public good.”

For more information, visit UA Little Rock’s reaccreditation website.