HLC Accreditation information - University of Southern Indiana

What is Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation? What work is the University doing for accreditation and what should USI employees know about this process? This page features USI Today stories and other important information for USI employees to access as the University moves through the phases of HLC accreditation.

If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to Dr. Darrin Sorrels, HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), by email at ddsorrells@usi.edu or by extension 5174.

How You Can Support USI's Accreditation Effort

Accreditation is a university-wide responsibility, and every employee plays a role in demonstrating USI's commitment to student success, continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness. You do not need to be an expert on accreditation. Reviewers are interested in understanding how employees contribute to USI's mission, student learning and institutional success.

What you can do:

Stay informed by reviewing HLC updates and accreditation resources.
Attend one or more mock visit campus forums on August 31 and September 1 (more information below)
Familiarize yourself with USI's mission, strategic priorities and student success initiatives.
Be prepared to discuss how your work contributes to the University's mission and the success of our students.
Share questions or suggestions with the HLC Accreditation team.

USI Today HLC Accreditation stories

USI’s HLC Accreditation work in full swing - January 2026

Series introduction describing what the HLC is, the accreditation process and what work USI committees were charged with.

What is HLC Accreditation?

HLC Criterion Committees—The Mission

Committee co-chairs discuss the work done to meet the first criterion of the HLC accreditation process—the University's mission.

Committee 1—The Mission

HLC Criterion Committees—Integrity, Ethical and Responsible Conduct

Committee co-chairs dive into the importance of the second criterion of the accreditation process—ethics, integrity and acting responsibly.

Committee 2—Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct

HLC Accreditation Criterion Committees — Teaching and Learning for Student Success

Committee co-chairs describe how members reviewed data and assessed teaching and learning at USI from every angle.

Committee 3 — Teaching and Learning for Student Success

HLC Accreditation Criterion Committees—Planning for Quality Improvement

Committee co-chairs discuss how they gathered data and showcase how USI actively plans to remain sustainable for years to come.

Committee 4—Planning for Quality Improvement