WEST PLAINS, Mo. – A team of peer reviewers from The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools, a regional higher education accrediting agency, have completed their visit to Missouri State University-West Plains, bringing the campus’ two-year-long process of reaccreditation nearer to completion.

“The evaluation is a time for us to tell our story to peer reviewers, and we have a great story to tell,” said Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett.  “It is always good to have an external review of an institution to confirm what is working well and to identify any opportunities for improvement.”

The four-person team concluded its visit Wednesday, April 2.  During the three-day evaluation, members of the team conducted approximately 30 meetings and met with members of the campus community, including open forums with faculty, staff and students.

The visit was the culmination of more than two years of preparation by campus community members, who, as part of the process, developed a comprehensive self-study report that was reviewed and analyzed by team members.

“We have been preparing for this visit for a long time, and there has been a lot of time and effort from our faculty and staff in developing the self-study document,” Bennett said.

The next step in the reaccreditation process includes the development of a report by team members, which will be submitted to HLC officials for consideration.  In the report, the team will recommend to the commission a continuing status for the campus.  Following a review process, the commission itself will take final action.  An announcement of that final decision concerning reaccreditation is expected this fall, Bennett said.

Missouri State-West Plains has been separately accredited by the commission since 1994 as the associate’s degree level.  Prior to 1994, the campus was accredited by HLC as part of Missouri State University.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission provides institutional accreditation to degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.  Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole.  Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs.  Accreditation is voluntary.  The commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.