HLC reaffirms MVNU’s accreditation
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Dr. Henry W. Spaulding II, president of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, proudly announces the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has reaffirmed the university’s accreditation. The next review process will take place in 2028-2029.
The accreditation is crucial for students both academically and financially. According to Spaulding, student course credits are transferable to and from MVNU, graduates are eligible for graduate school, and university students can receive funding from the federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, and subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans.
"Regional accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources,” according to the Higher Learning Commission’s website, www.hlccommission.org.
As private colleges throughout Ohio, and the country, are struggling to compete for a dwindling student population, the university’s strategic plan becomes critical for future success. In order to increase enrollment — and to satisfy HLC planning requirements —universities are forced to continue to re-evaluate academic programs and look to athletic expansion.
“When I was being oriented toward the presidency, they said if you want to grow enrollment, add a sports team,” Spaulding said. “We have done that and will continue to do that.”
Spaulding credits the university’s acceptance of new growth strategies to receiving an accreditation with no follow-up monitoring required.
“The fact that we did not (have follow-up reports) is very rare in the HLC and in America,” Spaulding said. “We are very happy about that. It does show it was a well-constructed argument and the evidence was all placed where it needed to be.”
Spaulding made the announcement to university staff Dec. 7, stating gratitude across campus for the collective effort throughout the comprehensive review.
“I’d like to say how proud I am of this community for the way they came together to do their very best in difficult days in American higher education. I don’t take for granted either the morale or the quality of work that takes place on this campus,” Spaulding said. “Special appreciation goes to Dr. Barney Cochran, Dr. Brenita Nicholas-Edwards, Dr. Yvonne Schultz, Dr. Robert Hamill and Dr. Randie Timpe for constructing the reaffirmation arguments. In addition, we acknowledge the Institutional Effectiveness staff and Krissta Hadsell who worked tirelessly on logistics.”
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and several convenient Graduate and Professional Studies locations throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,200 students from 31 states and 22 countries/U.S. territories.
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