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UPCOMING ACCREDITATION YEAR

2025-2026; site visit date of April 20-21, 2026

Mission of the Steering Committee

To facilitate alignment of the OSU mission and strategic plan through guidance and support during the university’s journey toward the upcoming Reaffirmation of Accreditation under the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Goals

The steering committee will oversee the following goals by achieving the objectives listed in the Objectives of Steering Committee section. The goals are as follows:
  • Thoroughly and proactively organize and plan for the upcoming HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation visit,
  • Address any questions and adjust for any challenges that may arise during the Reaffirmation of Accreditation process,
  • Reflect deeply and creatively about the existing processes and procedures at OSU that support the success of students, staff, and faculty,
  • Create a robust and adaptable preparation process for the assurance argument which will highlight OSU’s existing support resources for all institutional stakeholders and future plans for improvement, and
  • Provide collaboration, insight, and other necessary efforts toward the shared responsibility of ensuring a successful comprehensive evaluation visit in 2025-2026.

Criteria Subcommittees

The members of each criterion subcommittee are working closely with members of the OSU HLC Steering Committee, Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), and various other individuals campus-wide to provide the most thorough and meaningful preparation for the upcoming HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation visit. OSU recognizes that success through this process will come from discussions and transparent collaboration amongst all stakeholders across campus.

 

Goals

The criterion subcommittees will support the steering committee in achieving the stated goals in preparation for the HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation visit. The goals are as follows:

  • Reflect deeply and creatively about existing processes and policies at OSU while identifying and addressing gaps, all in an effort to support the success of students, faculty, and staff,
  • Contribute critical institutional knowledge and experience to the planning process to identify the evidence best suited to supporting OSU’s continuous improvement for the future,
  • Facilitate and promote open communication and transparency regarding the accreditation process with OSU stakeholders, and
  • Collaborate as a team by sharing insights, resources, and feedback, and by organizing and revising evidence files to ensure a successful comprehensive evaluation visit in 2025-2026.
  • Subcommittee for Criterion #1

    Chris Francisco, Senior Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
    Becky Taylor, Assistant Vice President for Provost’s Priorities and Strategic Initiatives, Academic Affairs
    Ryan Chung, Assistant Vice Provost for Accreditation, Assessment, and Testing, University Assessment and Testing
    Ann Caine, President, OSU Alumni Association
    Megan Horton, Interim Associate Vice President of Brand Management, Brand Management
    Jeff Simpson, Assistant Dean and Director of Global Partnerships, OSU Global

  • Subcommittee for Criterion #2

    Stephen Clarke, Senior Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies, and Faculty Affairs, College of Education and Human Sciences
    Rob Lofton, Senior Associate Director, Scholarships and Financial Aid
    Chris Francisco, Senior Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
    Brandee Hancock, Chief Legal Officer and Deputy General Counsel at A&M Board of Regents, Legal Counsel
    Aleigha Mariott, Assistant Vice President, Campus Life
    Jamie Milek, Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator, Office of Equal Opportunity
    Robert Raab, Associate Director of Financial Student Success, Scholarships and Financial Aid
    Candace Thrasher, Manager, Academic Integrity

  • Subcommittee for Criterion #3

    Karen Hickman, Director of the Environmental Science Program and Director of Undergraduate Research, Honors, and Academic Assessment, Ferguson College of Agriculture
    Rita Peaster, University Registrar, Office of the Registrar
    Stephen Clarke, Senior Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies, and Faculty Affairs, College of Education and Human Sciences
    Shannon Baker, Associate Provost of Student Success, Academic Affairs
    Tamara Mix, Department Head of Sociology and Faculty Fellow for General Education Reform, College of Arts & Sciences
    Christine Ormsbee, Vice Provost and Director, Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence

  • Subcommittee for Criterion #4

    Karen Hickman, Director of the Environmental Science Program and Director of Undergraduate Research, Honors, and Academic Assessment, Ferguson College of Agriculture
    Larry Burns, Chief Data Officer, Institutional Research and Analytics
    Rita Peaster, University Registrar, Office of the Registrar
    Melanie Bayles, Coordinator of Academic Programs in Plant and Soil Sciences, Ferguson College of Agriculture
    Ki Cole, Associate Professor of Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics, College of Education and Human Sciences
    Toni Ivey, Director of Educator Support and P12 Outreach, Office of Educator Support
    Kayla Loper, Director of Data Analytics, College of Education & Human Sciences
    Carisa Ramming, Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Student Engagement, College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology

  • Subcommittee for Criterion #5

    Larry Burns, Chief Data Officer, Institutional Research and Analytics
    Rob Lofton, Senior Associate Director, Scholarships and Financial Aid
    Becky Taylor, Assistant Vice President for Provost’s Priorities and Strategic Initiatives, Academic Affairs
    Christie Hawkins, Associate Vice-President of Administration & Finance and Director, Institutional Research and Analytics
    Mike Hunsucker, Manager of Facility Services, University Planning
    Randy Kitchens, Assistant Director, Institutional Research and Analytics
    Kelly Murphy, Director of Budget, Office of University Budget

Reassurance Argument Writing Team

The members of the OSU HLC Writing Team work with the HLC Steering Committee, Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), and various others across campus to showcase OSU’s continuous progress in supporting today’s and tomorrow’s students, faculty, staff, and community. The OSU Writing Team will synthesize content and evidence files compiled by the OSU HLC Criteria Subcommittees to illustrate the achievements of the University in support of the OSU Mission.

  • Writing Team Facilitators

    Chris Francisco, Senior Vice Provost, Academic Affairs

    Ryan Chung, Assistant Vice Provost for Accreditation, Assessment, and Testing, University Assessment and Testing

    Megan Horton, Associate Vice President, Brand Management

    Kelva Hunger, Associate Director of Assessment & Analysis, University Assessment and Testing

    Kaitlynn Holcomb, Assistant Director of Assessment & Analysis, University Assessment and Testing

  • Writing Team

    Shannon Rigsby, Associate Director of Enterprise Brand Management and Public Information Officer, Brand Management

    Mack Burke, Associate Director of Media Relations, Brand Management

    Melanie Bayles, Coordinator of Academic Programs in Plant and Soil Sciences, Ferguson College of Agriculture

    Rachel Schmitz, Associate Professor of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences

  • Writing Team Criterion Associations (Lead/Secondary)

    Criterion 1: Mission – S. Rigsby/M. Burke

    Criterion 2: Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct – R. Schmitz/M. Bayles

    Criterion 3: Teaching and Learning for Student Success – M. Bayles/R. Schmitz

    Criterion 4: Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning – M. Burke/S. Rigsby

HLC On-Site Visit Logistics Planning Team

The members of the OSU HLC On-Site Visit Logistics Planning Team aid in planning all aspects of the on-site visit set to take place on April 20-21, 2026. This visit will involve hosting peer reviewers from OSU’s institutional accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and holding open forums for students, faculty, and staff to meet with the reviewers about their experiences at OSU. The Logistics Planning Team works to facilitate the visit; communicates with the Steering Committee, Accreditation Liaison Officer, and other key offices on campus; and ensures that the OSU community is ready for the visitors.

 

  • Logistics Planning Team Facilitators

    Chris Francisco, Senior Vice Provost, Academic Affairs

    Ryan Chung, Assistant Vice Provost for Accreditation, Assessment, and Testing, University Assessment and Testing

  • Logistics Planning Team

    Kaley Barnicoat, Executive Communications Coordinator, Office of the President

    Gabby Nicklas, Director of Provost Affairs, Academic Affairs

    Ashley Varnell, Executive Administrative Associate, Academic Affairs

    Adam Barnes, Assistant Director of Event and Conference Services, Student Union

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