Putting together a 30,000-word summary of the university’s processes from top to bottom—and backing every bit of it up with evidence—isn’t what you’d call a good time. As the scope of the project suggests, though, it’s serious business and a critical part of maintaining Missouri State’s accreditation.

Assessment guided the 2015 campus visit from reviewers with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and recently submitted a five-year update as part of the ongoing accreditation cycle. It’s more than a social call. The HLC looks at all aspects of the university: educational outcomes, financial responsibility, its role as a community partner, and the degree to which the university is living up to its own stated goals. To name a few.

Fun? Not really! Easy? No. But it’s essential work. And a nice reminder as we consult with offices across campus on their own efforts, including accreditation, that helping people reduce paperwork and streamline processes is always a worthwhile goal.