Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share news of reaffirmation of Wayne State University accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

With highest-possible marks in every evaluation area, Wayne State’s institutional accreditation was reaffirmed by the HLC on June 13, validating not only our academic programs, but also the support systems that enable our mission to create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities. The university fulfilled all five accreditation criteria and 21 core components; HLC reviewers noted no concerns.

This official action by the HLC follows the comprehensive evaluation of March 6-7. An important component of this on-campus visit was the remarkable turnout at open forums, which attested to our engaged campus community and assured reviewers that the opinions of faculty, students, and staff are encouraged and valued by university leadership.

The report of the HLC review team acknowledged institutional stability that has been brought to bear by the Board of Governors and President M. Roy Wilson, responsible stewardship of constrained resources, and the positive impact of “Distinctively Wayne State University,” the Strategic Plan for 2016-2021.

This two-year initiative was an important opportunity for self-evaluation, through which we gained valuable insight into our academic programs, student support systems and operational infrastructure. In the coming year, you will observe an increased focus on continuous improvement and mission-based support systems, such as the new budget model, for which I invited your opinions on May 22.

Credit for this milestone belongs to a union of the faculty and staff, community partners, and members of the Academic and Student Senates. As provost, I am proud to acknowledge members of the HLC 2017 Steering Committee, co-chaired by University Library System Dean Sandra Yee and Professor Hilary Ratner; and Project Manager Donna Dauphinais.

On behalf of President Wilson and the Wayne State University senior leadership team, I look forward to your continued engagement and participation in fostering continued excellence and improvement.

Sincerely,

Keith E. Whitfield, Provost