Accreditation

100+ years of quality education

For more than 100 years, GRCC has proudly held a higher education quality assurance accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

See GRCC's statement of accreditation

HLC criteria

The HLC reviews higher education institutions across the United States based on five criteria. For each criteria, the institution must submit a narrative document that details supporting evidence for how GRCC meets each of the following:

• Criterion 1. Mission: "The institution’s mission is clear and 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."

GRCC's HLC Reaffirmation Committees

GRCC's HLC Reaffirmation Steering Committee and Criterion Subcommittees include nearly 80 faculty and staff members. Each member serves on one of five subcommittees dedicated to HLC's five criteria for accreditation. Each subcommittee is required to submit a narrative document that details supporting evidence for how GRCC meets the five HLC Criteria. The teams are led by the faculty and staff members listed below.

• Steering Committee: Sheila Jones & Bill Faber
• Criterion 1 Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Eric Mullen, Nikki Smith & Bill Faber
• Criterion 2 Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Dillon Carr & Lina Blair
• Criterion 3 Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Erin Busscher, Robin Sterk & Meg Lockard
• Criterion 4 Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Holly Christopher & Dan Sullivan
• Criterion 5 Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Sophia Brewer & Vicki Janowiak