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Higher Learning Commission’s Comprehensive Evaluation

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Marshall University has begun preparing for its Comprehensive Evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) during the 2025-2026 academic year. This 10-year Evaluation will determine Marshall’s continuing accreditation by the HLC, which Marshall has maintained since 1928.

This accreditation demonstrates that Marshall continues to meet standards established by the peer-led membership of HLC and by the U.S. Department of Education and, further, it assures that our students maintain eligibility to use federal financial aid funds to attend Marshall University. The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for preparation for our Comprehensive Evaluation. Dr. Avi Mukherjee, provost, Dr. Mary Beth Reynolds, associate provost for assessment and quality initiatives, and Dr. Susan Tusing, professor of music and academic affairs faculty fellow, are organizing preparations for the Evaluation.

Since the spring 2023 semester, Dr. Tusing has coordinated the researching and writing of our Assurance Argument, a self-study narrative and collection of evidence that documents the university’s adherence to HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. The Assurance Argument will be completed and submitted to HLC in late 2025, and a team of HLC peer reviewers will visit our campus in January 2026 to complete the Evaluation.

Because accreditation affects the entire university, it is important that the campus community understand the accreditation process and is afforded opportunities to contribute to the preparations for our Comprehensive Evaluation. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the campus community will be given several opportunities to review the draft of our Assurance Argument and to make suggestions for additional documentary evidence and future revisions. During the fall 2024 semester, governing bodies representing faculty, staff, and administrators will review the Assurance Argument. During the spring 2025 semester, the President’s Cabinet and Board of Governors, followed by the general campus community, will be invited to participate in the review.Please watch for future announcements regarding opportunities for you to participate in the review of the Assurance Argument, as well as general announcements with information about the accreditation process, evaluation, and campus visit.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Susan Tusing at tusings@marshall.edu.