Who Are the Reviewers and What Happens During the Visit?

The site visit is conducted by a peer review team selected by HLC. Team members are chosen based on factors such as institutional size, mission, and degree offerings, and each reviewer brings specific expertise (academics, student services, assessment, finance, governance, and more).

Before the visit, the team chair works with institutional leadership to build a schedule that fits the institution’s context. During the visit, reviewers may:

• Meet with leadership, faculty, staff, and students
• Hold open forums for campus stakeholders
• Ask follow-up or clarifying questions
• Review documentation
• Meet privately as a team to discuss what they are learning

Some meetings involve the entire team, while others involve smaller groups. Overlapping meetings are normal, and not everyone on campus will be involved directly, but many voices may be included.

The overall tone is conversational and professional. Reviewers are there to listen, understand, and verify.

Not everyone on campus will be involved directly, and that’s completely normal.