Northwestern Health Sciences University is in Final Preparation for 2010 Re-accreditation Review

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – As Northwestern Health Sciences University moves into the final year of the self-study process for re-accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), five criterion teams comprised of University faculty and staff have been working hard to finalize the draft of the self-study report. The NCA Self-Study Steering Committee has been meeting almost weekly to review the work drafted by the teams.

“Teams are working this term to continue to write the draft, and identify areas that may align with the University’s strategic plan,” reports Noni Threinen, DC, MS, associate vice president of institutional effectiveness, who is overseeing the re-accreditation process at Northwestern. The next step is to gather feedback. “We want to hear from the whole community,” notes Dr. Threinen. “So far, 30-40 people have been actively involved in the self-study process. We’ll next begin to seek feedback from students, staff, board members, and faculty.” Also in the works is a website dedicated to the self-study, to help engage the campus community and stakeholders.

“We’re learning from the process,” notes Dr. Threinen. “This is a great opportunity to look at what we do and ask ourselves, ‘Do we meet the mark we set for ourselves? How can we improve? How can we set our sights higher?’” The self-study document provides an evidence-based description and evaluation for how the University fulfills the given NCA accreditation guidelines. Dr. Threinen is confident that the University is on target to complete the self-study report and submit all the necessary materials in preparation for the site review, which will take place in May 2010.

As teams have worked to draft the self-study report, they have identified components that may help meet University goals while at the same time provide evidence for the self-study process. Dr. Threinen views the self-study as part of ongoing institutional effectiveness efforts for quality improvement. “This year will be critical in developing the comprehensive review and evaluation of our institution,” says Dr. Threinen. “The self-study is one way that we can focus our time and resources to achieve our strategic goals.”

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and human biology. The University has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minnesota.