Next month, we’ll welcome peer reviewers from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for an on-campus visit. It’s the ultimate step in an ongoing process that accredits our university as a whole. The visit will take place March 30-31 and will include open forums. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend one of the open forums.

We won’t know the exact timing of the forums until a week or two before the visit. Until then, we can prepare by reviewing an executive briefing, created by the HLC oversight committee. The committee based this briefing on our Assurance Argument — the written document that demonstrates how we meet the criteria and core components HLC peer reviewers will use to evaluate us.

Please take a few moments to review the briefing. Below, you’ll also find a quick summary of strengths and opportunities that are identified in the Assurance Argument.

“Like so many of the big things we accomplish, the reaffirmation of our HLC accreditation is something we must do together,” says Provost Clarenda Phillips. “We are sharing this information as broadly as possible, and we hope that all members of our campus community will be part of this process.”

Summary: Strengths and Opportunities

As members of the HLC oversight committee prepared for the on-campus visit, they identified our institutional strengths and areas where we have opportunities to improve. Review the summary below, and be sure to check out the executive briefing for additional details.

HLC Criterion One — Mission

Strengths

• With the public affairs mission, MO State fosters a strong, campus-wide identity.
• The 2025-30 strategic plan, “Igniting Opportunity,” reaffirms this mission and articulates a vision of becoming the nation’s leading public affairs university.
• Our investment in local, regional and international partnerships demonstrates our commitment to the public good.

Opportunities

• As we seek to become the nation’s leading public affairs university, we have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive public affairs program.
• With the authorization for MO State to award Doctor of Philosophy degrees, we are positioned to respond to workforce needs and expand academic opportunities.
• We have the opportunity to strengthen internal clarity and understanding of international programs by standardizing the nomenclature used to describe international programs, coursework, partnerships and locations.

HLC Criterion Two — Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct

Strengths

• MO State’s Board of Governors is an institutional asset, characterized by high levels of engagement, high standards and intentionality.
• We demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement and transparency through measures such as the online availability of policy libraries and handbooks and the annual publication of student learning outcomes and fees.

Opportunities

• We have opportunities to respond to the rapidly evolving technological environment by addressing new complexities, such as academic integrity and the use of artificial intelligence.

HLC Criterion Three — Teaching and Learning for Student Success

Strengths

• MO State’s faculty are highly qualified. More than 90% hold a terminal degree in their field.
• We offer a comprehensive range of support services, including student success and mental health services, for all students.
• The revamped office of institutional effectiveness and new academic performance management system demonstrate our commitment to data-informed, transparent assessment processes.

Opportunities

• MO State has a history of comprehensive program review, but many of these reviews were paused because of COVID-19, the academic realignment and the rebuilding of the office of institutional research. In 2025, we piloted a new program-review process, and we have an opportunity to implement it university-wide.
• We have the opportunity to strengthen collaboration among all stakeholders to improve student retention.
• We have the opportunity to revise our general education program.

HLC Criterion Four — Sustainability, Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning

Strengths

• MO State demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement through strategic planning initiatives, and the budget process includes measures to keep budgeting as transparent as possible.
• Newly opened facilities, like Roy Blunt Hall, and those in development, such as the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Performing Arts Center, reflect our sustained commitment to our infrastructure.

Opportunities

• A data-informed strategic enrollment plan — to serve the university’s mission, promote long-term enrollment goals and ensure fiscal health — is in development.
• We have an opportunity to fully implement the initiatives of our strategic plan, “Igniting Opportunity.”