CMC Libraries
Research at Your Fingertips

Accreditation with HLC - 2023-24 Comprehensive Evaluation

Accreditation of CMC

Colorado Mountain College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which was reaffirmed in 2024 through a 10-year comprehensive evaluation. 

Many of our programs, such as the nursing, vet tech, and EMT programs, have program-specific accreditation, shown on our public-facing webpage. These are managed by each program and reviewed by Academic Council, College Council, and other shared governance bodies of the college such as Faculty Senate and Curriculum Committee.

Our Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) who oversees our communication, requests, and accreditation policies and requirements with HLC is Karla Hardesty. For questions or comments about our upcoming Comprehensive Evaluation or anything related to accreditation, please contact:

Karla Hardesty, Dean of Academic Support and CMC ALO
Phone: 719-530-7908 / Email: kjhardesty@coloradomtn.edu

HLC Criteria

We must adhere to HLC's five criteria, shown below, to be accredited. The Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation of Accreditation by HLC determines if we are compliant with these criteria.

Image of text of HLC Criteria: 1. Mission The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations. 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.  3: Teaching & Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered. 4: Teaching & Learning: Evaluation and Improvement   The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.  5: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning  The institution’s resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.

Standard Pathway Cycle

The Standard Pathway is a 10-year cycle. CMC will be in Year 10 of their Pathway in 2023-24; therefore, that is the year of our Comprehensive Evaluation.

A 4-step diagram showing, from top to bottom, Years 1-3 with a rectangle containing text describing "Prepare Assurance Filing", Year 4 with a rectangle containing text describing "Comprehensive Evaluation", Years 5-9 with a rectangle containing text describing "Prepare Assurance Filing", and Year 10 with a rectangle containing text describing "Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation"

Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Process Diagram showing an institution icon above the word "Preparation", a group of people icon overlaying a paper pencil icon above the word "Evaluation", and an icon of quote boxes above the words "Decision Making"

The comprehensive evaluation includes the following components:

  • Assurance Review
  • Federal Compliance Review
  • Student Opinion Survey
  • On-site peer review visit
  • Additional components if required (e.g., multi-campus, embedded change, etc.)