Preliminary Information Form

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requires colleges to submit a Preliminary Information Form (PIF) informing the Commission about the school and showing that we meet the Eligibility Requirements.  This process required several months of collecting documents, evidence and writing a narrative to state who we are, what we believe, and how we’re providing for our students, faculty, staff and community.  The PIF was accepted in March 2010 and the College began work on Step 2, The Self Study.

The Self Study

The Self Study process is designed to help the HLC analyze all areas of the college, and more specifically requires the college to demonstrate:

• Consistent and thorough use of our mission & vision
• Fiscal health – past, present and future
• Physical – building compliance, technological provisions, etc.
• Involvement /presence in the larger community
• Teaching and assessment strategies
• Attention to diversity (student, staff, faculty)
• Governing practices
• Plans for the future
• Educational relevance – connection to career.

McNally Smith staff, faculty, and students submitted hundreds of journals and pieces of evidence on the topics listed above. We then created a written Self Study narrative and submitted it to the HLC Commission in December 2011.

The Team Visit

On February 13 – 15, 2012, the evaluation team from the Higher Learning Commission will visit campus to see McNally Smith for themselves. McNally Smith is preparing for the visit in a number of ways, including creating a Resource Room, scheduling meetings with students, staff, and faculty, and communicating about the HLC visit to the college and community.

On the last day of the visit, the HLC Peer Review Team will meet with college leadership and give a verbal analysis on strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. At a later date, the College will receive written notice from the Review Team as to whether or not we have achieved Initial Candidacy.