NIU will host a team of five Higher Learning Commission (HLC) peer reviewers for a site visit March 25-26 as part of the university’s 10-year comprehensive evaluation. The evaluation process ensures NIU meets the criteria for accreditation, is pursuing institutional improvement and is complying with certain requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education.
As part of this site visit, faculty, students and staff members are encouraged to attend open forums with members of the HLC peer review team.
- Open Forum for Faculty: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Monday, March 25 in the Holmes Student Center Heritage Room.
- Open Forum for Students: 4:15 to 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 25 in the Holmes Student Center Heritage Room.
- Open Forum for Staff: 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 26 in the Holmes Student Center Heritage Room.
“Receiving HLC accreditation is critical for continuing NIU’s eligibility for federal funding, along with maintaining a high standing with current and prospective students and the public,” said Amy Buhrow, NIU’s accreditation liaison officer and assistant vice provost of Assessment and Accreditation. “We thank members of the NIU community for their feedback on our Assurance Argument for the comprehensive evaluation and invite all faculty and staff to the upcoming open forums. We are looking forward to showcasing our university and enjoying a great visit with the HLC team later this month.”
The HLC evaluation team members are:
Serving as Special Assistant to the Provost for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), Charles David Moon II holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts from University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Arts from Austin College. Moon has served in numerous roles at UCCS since 1991. His teaching experience is centered in Political Science and Government.
Marico Cobett Bryant Howe (Reviewer)
Serving as Joint Faculty for the Bioinformatics Graduate Program at University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Marico Cobett Bryant Howe holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Bryant Howe also holds a Master of Science from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science from Bowie State University. Bryant Howe has served at numerous institutions of higher education, including her current position since 2018. Her teaching experience includes Bioinformatics, Biomathematics, Computational Biology, Computer and Information Sciences and Pharmacy.
Serving as Dean and CEO for Kansas State University Olathe, Benjamin A. Wolfe holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Kansas, a Master of Science from University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Bachelor of Science from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Wolfe has served at several Kansas universities and colleges, including his current role since 2022. Wolfe’s teaching experience includes Environmental Studies, Earth Science and Geology.
Kimberly Ann Grieve (Reviewer)
Serving as Interim Associate Vice President for Student Affairs for South Dakota State University, Kimberly Ann Grieve holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Education from University of Toledo. Grieve also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. She has served in higher education since 2012, including her current role since July 2023.
Serving as Professor at Central Michigan University, Vincent Mumford holds a Doctor of Education from University of Delaware and Certificates from Harvard University and Indiana University Bloomington. Mumford has served in several positions at Central Michigan University, since 2013. Mumford’s teaching experience includes Sport and Fitness Administration and Management.
HLC is an independent corporation, founded in 1895 as one of seven regional accreditors in the United States, accrediting degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions. HLC accredits the institution as a whole, with a mission to advance the common good through quality assurance of higher education as the leader in equitable, transformative and trusted accreditation in the service of students and member institutions.
Please visit NIU’s 2023-2024 Comprehensive Evaluation website or email Amy Buhrow at abuhrow@niu.edu for more information.
