Successful NWCCU Accreditation Visit Spotlights Support for L&C Students

Last week, Lewis & Clark hosted a peer review team for a site visit as part of the NWCCU accreditation process. Before the visit, the team reviewed reports that faculty, staff, and administrators prepared in response to the standards to which the institution is held. The review team conducted open forums and targeted interviews October 13-15 to learn more about Lewis & Clark and to corroborate what they read in the report with what they saw and heard on campus.

“Way to go L&C!,” Accreditation Liaison Officer and AVP for Institutional Research Renée Orlick said. “With much gratitude and appreciation for everything staff and faculty do every day, and the special efforts of more than 100 people across campus who were involved in drafting the reports and meeting with the review team. Thank you!”

What happens now?

The review team will write a report to share what they learned and let the NWCCU Commissioners know how well L&C meets the accreditation standards. A copy of the full report will not be made available for some time, but the review team offered some preliminary feedback.

The team recognized faculty and staff alike for caring about student success and providing the support and services our students need to accomplish their goals. They also noted the engaged, thoughtful, and collaborative nature of our community and shared their enthusiasm for the strategic imperative work we are embarking upon—especially the focus on career readiness and community engagement.

“There are undoubtedly areas in which we can improve and the final report we receive from the Commission will include suggestions for how we can do so,” Orlick said. “At this moment, though, we should celebrate a job well done. As an institution we should feel proud of all that we have accomplished both in preparing for this visit and in our day to day work supporting our students and each other.”