Saint Mary’s receives notice of continued accreditation

WINONA, Minn. — On May 2, Saint Mary’s University received official notification from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) that its accreditation was continued. This action by the HLC Board of Trustees was the last step in the university’s reaccreditation efforts, which included preparation of a self-study document and an October 2006 HLC Evaluation Team visit. Saint Mary’s next comprehensive evaluation with HLC is scheduled for 2016-2017.

Many faculty, staff and students at the university were engaged in the intensive two-year process of self study. Saint Mary’s was required by its regional accreditor, The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, to undertake the process of self-evaluation for reaccreditation, the purpose of which is to assure quality and continuous improvement. All accredited institutions participate in this process, usually every 10 years.

Brother Chancellor Louis DeThomasis stated that “the HLC action is wonderful news for the university, and affirms what we already know: that Saint Mary’s provides a high quality, distinctive education. I am grateful to the members of the SMU community for bringing this reaccreditation process to a successful conclusion.”

Dr. Jeff Highland, provost and chairman of the Self-Study Steering Committee, noted that “we have already begun to implement some of the recommendations from the self-study and the Team Report, and we look forward to using the findings to make SMU an even better institution.”

The team report states, “Saint Mary’s University is to be commended for the high-quality programming at low cost to individuals at their many sites throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.”