Accreditation & Quality Assurance

Expert Guidance Rooted in Deep Understanding

With more than 25 years in higher education leadership, and over a decade as an HLC Peer Reviewer, Tom Hughes helps institutions approach accreditation with confidence, clarity, and integrity. Effective accreditation preparation isn't about gaming the system—it's about building genuine institutional effectiveness and documenting it well.

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Our Approach

My work focuses on helping you:

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Understand the Standards from an Evaluator's Perspective

As an active HLC Peer Reviewer, I evaluate institutions annually and participate in ongoing evaluator training. This inside perspective allows me to anticipate team questions, identify evidence gaps before evaluators do, and craft arguments that resonate with review teams.

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Organize Evidence Systematically and Thoughtfully

Build documentation that demonstrates institutional effectiveness across all five HLC Criteria. We help you create evidence inventories, develop logical organizational systems, and ensure federal compliance requirements are met.

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Tell Your Story Clearly in the Assurance Argument

Your assurance argument should reflect your institution's mission, demonstrate quality, and make a compelling case for how your institution meets the criteria for continued accreditation. We help you craft narratives that are clear, evidence-based, and persuasive.

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Build Sustainable Practices That Serve Your Mission

The best accreditation preparation strengthens your institution beyond the site visit. We help you develop assessment and improvement processes that support student success and institutional effectiveness over the long term.

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Services Offered

1. Accreditation Readiness Assessment

Comprehensive gap analysis to identify strengths and areas for development before you begin intensive preparation work.

What's included:

• Review of institutional alignment with all HLC Criteria and Assumed Practices for Accreditation

• Evidence inventory assessment and gap identification

• Federal compliance verification (Title IV requirements, policies, processes)

• Stakeholder interviews to assess institutional culture and readiness

• Priority action plan with realistic timeline and resource needs

Deliverable: Detailed readiness report with strategic recommendations and implementation roadmap

Ideal timing: 18-24 months before comprehensive evaluation

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2. Assurance Argument Review & Development Support

Expert review to strengthen your self-assessment narrative and ensure alignment with HLC expectations.

What's included:

• Comprehensive review of draft assurance argument

• Structural and narrative coherence assessment

• Evidence alignment verification (are you citing the right evidence for each claim?)

• Clarity and persuasiveness editing

• Identification of potential evaluator concerns or questions

• Recommendations for addressing gaps or strengthening weak areas

Deliverable: Annotated assurance argument with specific revision suggestions and commentary

Ideal timing: 6-9 months before site visit, after initial draft is complete

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3. Mock Site Visit

Simulated comprehensive evaluation experience to prepare your campus and identify last-minute improvements.

What's included:

• Pre-visit document review (assurance argument, evidence, federal compliance)

• On-campus visit (typically 1-2 days) with stakeholder interviews across campus

• Open Forum sessions

• Campus culture and operational observations

• Candid feedback session with senior leadership

Deliverable: Mock team report identifying strengths, concerns, and final preparation recommendations

Ideal timing: 3-6 months before actual site visit

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4. Federal Compliance Review

Systematic approach to organizing documentation and verifying compliance.

What's included:

• Complete evidence inventory creation

• Federal compliance documentation verification

• Document repository organization and labeling system

• Accessibility and format review

Deliverable: Evidence matrix, compliance checklist, and organized repository

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5. Interim Report Response & Action Planning

Strategic support for institutions responding to team findings or monitoring requirements.

What's included:

• Analysis of team report and areas requiring follow-up

• Strategic response development

• Implementation planning with clear accountability structures

• Timeline development for demonstrating improvement

Deliverable: Board-ready action plan with measurable outcomes and reporting schedule

 

 

Who This Is For

• Institutions scheduled for comprehensive evaluation in the next 12-24 months

• Institutions wanting external validation of readiness before the actual visit

• Colleges responding to interim reports, monitoring, or areas of concern

• Institutions navigating substantive change approvals

• New accreditation coordinators or leadership teams seeking expert guidance

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The Peer Reviewer Advantage

What does it mean to work with an HLC Peer Reviewer?

As an active HLC Peer Reviewer, I serve on evaluation teams that visit institutions across the country. This experience provides insights that external consultants without peer reviewer status simply cannot offer:

• I know what evaluators look for, I understand how teams read assurance arguments, what raises questions, and what provides confidence

• I stay current with HLC's evolving expectations through annual evaluator training and ongoing policy updates

• I understand team dynamics and how evaluators reach consensus on findings and recommendations

• I've seen what works across dozens of institutions in various states of readiness

But more importantly: My 25+ years in higher education leadership means I understand what actually works for students and institutions, not just what satisfies compliance requirements. This combination of insider knowledge and practitioner experience ensures you're building sustainable quality, not just checking boxes.

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Our Commitment

Accreditation preparation can feel overwhelming. My role is to provide clarity, confidence, and practical guidance throughout the process. You'll work directly with Tom Hughes—no handoffs to junior consultants, no cookie-cutter templates. Every institution is unique, and your preparation should reflect your mission, context, and strengths.

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Get Started

Ready to prepare for your comprehensive evaluation?

[Download: 18-Month Preparation Checklist] [Schedule Free 30-Minute Consultation]

Questions about HLC accreditation consulting? Let's talk about your timeline, specific concerns, and how we can support your success.