Northcentral University Announces Reaffirmation of Accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission

Prescott Valley, AZ–June 12, 2008 — Northcentral University (www.ncu.edu), an innovator in 100% online higher education, announced today that it has received notice from The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the University’s reaffirmation of accreditation. The HLC noted that it has completed its validation process by the Commission’s Board of Trustees on May 28, 2008. Subsequent to HLC visits, the commission asks all member institutions to withhold comments on accreditation status until notified of validation.

Dr. Clinton Gardner, President of Northcentral University stated, “We are pleased to have partnered with the members of the evaluation team, who visited our Prescott Valley campus in February, and administrative staff of the HLC. We are gratified by the Commission’s Board of Trustees’ validation. Northcentral University is excited about the relationships we have with Learners and faculty mentors throughout the world and looks forward to serving them in the future.”

The University conducted an extensive self-study of its academic programs and operational processes in preparation for the HLC evaluation team’s visit in February 2008. The team, made up of five consultant-evaluators from HLC who have extensive backgrounds in higher education, spent three days at NCU headquarters interviewing learners, faculty, and administrative staff. The team had a number of recommendations to improve academic and operational performance and to address university governance.

“The evaluation team’s recommendations were in line with NCU’s plans for change and growth”, added Dr. Gardner. “We appreciate the input from the team members and are already working through the NCU Board of Trustees, NCU’s Senior Management Team, and all academic and operational units to implement changes which benefit the institution and address HLC recommendations.”

The HLC Statement of Affiliation Status, available for viewing at the Commission’s web site at www.ncahlc.org, calls for the next comprehensive review visit during the 2010–2011 academic year and will most likely be scheduled for the spring of 2011. NCU will host a HLC focus visit team in 2009, which will review progress on key recommendations from the recent team visit.