Open Pathway
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For more information about Accreditation and Open Pathway, please contact Judith Tomasson.
Through the Open Pathway, CNM demonstrates that it meets the Higher Learning Commission's criteria for accreditation while focusing on quality assurance and institutional improvement throughout the College.
The Open Pathway follows a 10-year cycle that includes reviews as well as continuous monitoring that occurs through The Higher Learning Commission's annual Institutional Update, substantive change requests, and any necessary interim monitoring.
The Open Pathway's five core processes are a sequence of events that are an integral part of CNM's Reaffirmation of Accreditation:
- Years 1-3: Prepare Assurance Filing
- Year 4: Assurance Review (2017-18)
- Years 5-7: Quality Initiative Proposal (2018-21)
- Years 7-9: Quality Initiative Report (2020-23)
- Year 10: Comprehensive Evaluation (2023-24)
In Fall 2023, the HLC conducted a rigorous review of CNM’s key processes and results related to its Criteria for Accreditation, which includes Mission; Ethical and Responsible Conduct; Resources and Support for Teaching and Learning; Evaluation and Improvement of Teaching and Learning; and Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning. The review also included a site visit to CNM in October 2023 by five HLC Peer Reviewers, who conducted interviews with CNM faculty and staff across the College. The reaccreditation process was a success; CNM has been accredited for another 10 years. As one of the HLC Peer Reviewers put it: “The commitment to student success, community wellbeing, and organizational excellence is a hallmark of CNM’s ethos. This dedication is evident through active involvement in strategic planning, meticulous progress tracking using metrics, and a conscientious approach to budgeting.”