The Higher Learning Commission has formally announced its reaffirmation of accreditation for the University of Minnesota Crookston for the next 10 years through 2034-2035. The Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) considered materials from its most recent evaluation, for which the U of M Crookston had prepared for nearly two years.
The reaffirmed accreditation by the HLC serves as a form of quality assurance, as the U of M Crookston underwent a rigorous review process to meet specific criteria related to curriculum, faculty, resources, and student support. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. As a leading accreditor of 130 years, HLC has been working closely with colleges and universities around the country to achieve the shared goal of quality higher education for all.
“Attaining unreserved approval through the HLC process took a sustained cross-campus effort, and the U of M Crookston community did a stellar job,” stated Senior Vice Chancellor Rosemary Johnsen, Ph.D.
The HLC’s comprehensive review process included a site visit to campus in April 2025, during which a team of peer reviewers held forums open to students, faculty, and staff based on the evaluation criteria including topics such as teaching and learning, resources and planning, and mission and integrity. The forums were led by members of the site visit team allowing them to ask questions, confirm what they’ve read in the university’s assurance filing, and elicit examples from those groups. Separate drop-in sessions were also held for faculty, staff, and students encouraging discussion about roles and history on campus, and community engagement with a broad cross-section of voices sharing their experiences. Additionally, community leaders and partners were invited to a special gathering to discuss their relationship with U of M Crookston.
“Meeting the criteria for accreditation required by HLC is an affirmation to the quality of education and learning environment we provide all of our students,” shared Director of Institutional Effectiveness Sue Erickson.
“I’m grateful for the hard work and commitment from everyone on campus who worked on this effort, especially the team dedicated to completing everything for the HLC process,” added Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause, Ph.D.
About the Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) was founded in 1895 and is an independent agency who accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. As an accreditor, HLC is one member of the program integrity Triad, which consists of three areas of oversight for higher education in the United States. The Federal government and the state in which the institution is located are the other two areas. As an institutional accreditor, HLC evaluates all aspects of an institution’s offerings and operations through different types of reviews conducted by HLC staff or peer reviewers. Each review concludes with a decision-making process that prioritizes due process and transparency.