From the Interim President:
It is with a thankful heart that I bring you a good report regarding Urshan’s pursuit of regional accreditation. On July 6, 2018, I received news from the Higher Learning Commission formally notifying the Urshan Community of action taken by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Board of Trustees concerning Urshan College and Urshan Graduate School of Theology (“the System”).
Summary of the Action: The System has been granted the status of Candidate for Accreditation.
The Board based its action on the following findings made with regard to the System:
- The System has demonstrated that it meets all the Eligibility Requirements, Assumed Practices, and Federal Compliance Requirements required of a system seeking Candidate for Accreditation status.
- The System has demonstrated that it has the capacity to meet the Criteria for Accreditation, including all Core Components, within the period of Candidacy.
While Candidacy represents a form of affiliation with the Higher Learning Commission, it is not final accredited status. However, this final step before initial accreditation provides many of the benefits of full accreditation. Candidacy now opens many very important doors for students at the college and the graduate school:
- UC will be eligible to apply for authorization for Federal Student Aid for its students, including grants and loans. UGST already has been approved for this.
- College students may more easily transfer credits to other educational institutions.
- Foundations may be more likely to approve grants to both UC and UGST.
- Military-related benefits may more easily be granted to students.
- Some employers may choose to grant tuition reimbursement for their employees to study at UC.
- Some corporations may now make matching gifts to both schools when their employees donate.
We express our gratitude to our amazing Urshan Board of Directors and to our immediate past president, David K. Bernard who were integral in helping to achieve this milestone. A huge debt of gratitude also goes to the incredible Urshan Administration, Faculty, Staff and Student Body who worked hard and sacrificed many hours to accomplish this goal.
Jennie Russell, Interim President
Urshan College and Urshan Graduate School of Theology