UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., has received formal notice of reaccreditation by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA).
In continuing UNMC’s accreditation, the commission also approved the medical center’s request to expand distance education degree and degree completion programs.
“Accreditation is critically important to our success and we are pleased that the Higher Learning Commission has continued our accreditation status,” Dr. Maurer said. “We’ve made tremendous progress in the years since our last formal accreditation and, that momentum will continue, thanks to our outstanding faculty, staff and students.”
UNMC’s next comprehensive visit will take place in 2017. Meanwhile, a progress report will be submitted by June 2009 to the HLC on the evaluation of education.
The formal accreditation notice caps more than 2 years of work by more than 100 faculty, staff and students, said John Benson, M.D., who coordinated UNMC’s reaccreditation efforts. The process involved an extensive self-evaluation, which yielded a more than 200 page report highlighting UNMC’s academic offerings, as well as how its research, clinical and outreach activities impact higher education.
In January, a seven-member visiting team met with campus leaders to assess the medical center’s status on five criteria — UNMC’s mission and integrity in carrying out its mission; its focus on the future; its student learning and effective teaching; its research enterprise; and its community service.
The team capped its January 8-10 visit with positive remarks about UNMC’s collegial atmosphere and strong leadership. Said Lynn Walker, Dr.PH, chairman of the consultant-evaluators team: “Every institution has a unique flavor. We knew we’d find an institution that had quality, and we’ve certainly verified that.”