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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, 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, 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

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