Lansing Community College (LCC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The accreditation process assesses the capacity of an institution to assure the quality of its educational programs, and is necessary for our students to access federal financial aid. Every ten years an accredited institution must have its accreditation reaffirmed. LCC successfully underwent a comprehensive evaluation by a team of HLC peer reviewers in September 2024, and officially received reaffirmation of accreditation in January 2025. LCC chose to remain on HLC’s Open Pathway.
Although LCC’s next reaffirmation of accreditation is not until 2034-2035, there are numerous events that occur during the 10-year Open Pathway cycle. There is an annual Institutional Update which addresses financial and non-financial indicators, as well as student success indicators (new as of 2025). In Year 3 and Year 8 there are multi-location visits to a sampling of our additional locations. There is an Assurance Review in Year 4, a Quality Initiative Proposal due in Years 5-7, and a Quality Initiative Report due during Years 7-9. In addition, there is ongoing screening of changes to academic programs and, when necessary, substantive change application requirements. Thus, the accreditation process is ongoing and emphasizes continuous quality improvement.
What's coming up during LCC's 10-Year Open Pathway Cycle?
Aside from the annual updates and ongoing screening of changes to academic programs, our next major event will be the Multi-location Visit in academic year 2027-2028. An HLC Peer Reviewer will visit the College to review two of our additional locations (typically on the same day). In 2022, the sites visited were West Campus and the AIS Training Center.
Then, in academic year 2028-2029 (most likely in the summer of 2029), we must submit an updated Assurance Argument for an Assurance Review. This review involves a team of five Peer Reviewers from HLC, but is conducted virtually – there is no site visit.
If you have questions about HLC accreditation, feel free to reach out to Mark Kelland, Professor & Accreditation Liaison Officer; 517-483-1056.
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