Hastings College earns reaffirmation of accreditation from Higher Learning Commission
(Hastings, Nebraska) – Hastings College announced today that it has received reaffirmation of its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), meeting all criteria with no interim monitoring needed, a distinction that underscores the College’s strong performance and institutional health.
This significant achievement reflects the College’s commitment to excellence, transparency and continuous improvement in serving students and the community.
The reaffirmation comes after more than a year-long process of writing its Final Assurance Argument, which involved all areas and offices on campus, as well as an early spring site visit by an HLC site review team. The site visit included meetings with numerous groups on campus, as well as open forums for the group to gather feedback and insight.
The HLC site visit team commended Hastings College as “an exemplar of an institutional effort to bring resources, structures and processes in line with mission and goals.” The team’s report highlighted the College’s transformative journey since 2017, which included a comprehensive restructuring, a renewed focus on data-driven decision making and the establishment of a balanced budget.
“This reaffirmation by the Higher Learning Commission is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our faculty, staff and students,” said Hastings College President Dr. Rich Lloyd. “The past several years have required us to embrace change, always with our mission and students at the center. I am proud of how our community came together to work on our reaccreditation and am thankful for their efforts to ensure a bright future for Hastings College.”
The review team praised the College’s strengthened and centralized administrative structure, collaborative planning and robust system of shared governance.
Of particular note was the Implementation Group (IG), which brings together representatives from every administrative office and faculty, and plays a key role in campus-wide planning and decision-making.
The HLC team described it as “a laudable component of Hastings’ governance system and valued across campus” and that it could serve as a model for other institutions to borrow from because it ensures consistent collaborative planning and conveys deep agency to all constituencies.
“The HLC’s recognition of our collaborative governance and commitment to continuous improvement affirms the hard work of everyone at Hastings College,” said Dr. Wayne Riggs, vice president for academic affairs. “We are especially proud of our efforts to enhance academic quality, support student learning and foster a culture of transparency and trust.”
Hastings College demonstrated excellence across all five HLC criteria:
-Mission: The College’s mission is clear, publicly articulated and guides all operations.
-Integrity: Hastings College upholds the highest standards of ethical and responsible conduct, with transparent policies and a commitment to academic freedom.
-Teaching and Learning – Quality, Resources and Support: The College offers rigorous academic programs supported by qualified faculty and staff, and utilizes external benchmarks to ensure student success.
-Teaching and Learning – Evaluation and Improvement: Continuous evaluation and improvement processes ensure the quality of educational programs and student support services.
-Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning: The College’s resources, structures, processes and planning are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
The next HLC reaffirmation review for Hastings College is scheduled for 2034-35. This reaffirmation ensures Hastings College will continue to offer high-quality education and a supportive environment for students and the community in the years ahead.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Founded in 1882, the College is dedicated to student success and service to the community. Discover more at hastings.edu.