HLC Criterion One Primer Criterion One. Mission August 27, 2015

The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which the Commission determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation.

Criterion One. Mission Criterion Two. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct Criterion Four. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement Criterion Five. Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

Mission The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.

Core Components 1.A. The institution’s mission is broadly understood within the institution and guides its operations. 1.B. The mission is articulated publicly. 1.C. The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society. 1.D. The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good.

1.A. The institution’s mission is broadly understood within the institution and guides its operations. The mission statement is developed through a process suited to the nature and culture of the institution and is adopted by the governing board. The institution’s academic programs, student support services, and enrollment profile are consistent with its stated mission. The institution’s planning and budgeting priorities align with and support the mission.

1.B. The mission is articulated publicly. The institution clearly articulates its mission through one or more public documents, such as statements of purpose, vision, values, goals, plans, or institutional priorities. The mission document or documents are current and explain the extent of the institution’s emphasis on the various aspects of its mission, such as instruction, scholarship, research, application of research, creative works, clinical service, public service, economic development, and religious or cultural purpose. The mission document or documents identify the nature, scope, and intended constituents of the higher education programs and services the institution provides.

1.C. The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society. The institution addresses its role in a multicultural society. The institution’s processes and activities reflect attention to human diversity as appropriate within its mission and for the constituencies it serves.

1.D. The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good. Actions and decisions reflect an understanding that in its educational role the institution serves the public, not solely the institution, and thus entails a public obligation. The institution’s educational responsibilities take primacy over other purposes, such as generating financial returns for investors, contributing to a related or parent organization, or supporting external interests. The institution engages with its identified external constituencies and communities of interest and responds to their needs as its mission and capacity allow.

Donnelly’s Mission Donnelly College is a Catholic institution of higher education that seeks to continue the mission of Jesus Christ in our time by making the love of God tangible in our world. Specifically, the mission of Donnelly College is to provide education and community services with personal concern for the needs and abilities of each student, especially those who might not otherwise be served.

1.A. The institution’s mission is broadly understood within the institution and guides its operations.

5P1 & 5P2. HLC Core Component 1.A The institution’s mission is broadly understood within the institution and guides its operations. Strong, clear, and well-presented

Donnelly College’s Board of Trustees regularly reviews and revises when appropriate (most recently in 2007) the mission statement of the institution to insure it expresses clearly and accurately the self- understanding and work of Donnelly.

The student demographic, drawn primarily from urban and economically disadvantaged populations, is targeted precisely because of the institution’s mission, and support services to insure student success are also driven by that mission.

Data on the climate survey indicates employees have a good understanding of the College’s mission and that Donnelly demonstrates a commitment to its urban environment each with 95.8% strongly agree/agree responses.

1.B. The mission is articulated publicly.

5P3 & 5P8. HLC Core Component 1.B. The mission is articulated publicly. Strong, clear, and well presented

Donnelly College leadership communicates its shared mission, vision and values by example, in word, and in faith so that the AQIP principles are deepened and reinforced.

The mission of the College is articulated through partnerships with external stakeholders and advisory groups, and the Board of Trustees covers a diverse range of backgrounds.

Donnelly College has demonstrated that the nature, scope and intended constituents (commitment to people) of its educational services align with its values pertaining to involvement and collaboration.

1.C. The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society.

1P4 & 1P10. HLC Core Component 1.C. The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society. Strong, clear, and well presented

The Urban Teacher Education Program developed by Donnelly took into consideration during the development stage feedback from external stakeholder; including prospective students and local school districts.

Donnelly considered the economic diversity of its student body when determining tuition rates and the scope and range of student support services.

Donnelly College offers GED classes in Spanish for non-native English speakers.

1.D. The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good.

3P3 & 3P5. HLC Core Component 1.D. The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good. Strong, clear, and well presented

Donnelly College uses a systematic assessment of community needs through several different processes, including environmental scans, reviewing and analyzing the United Way of Wyandotte County survey results, and school district (USD500) data.

Donnelly College works closely with the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS to partner with Catholic schools in tracking and guiding at–risk students with such programs as Gateway to College and College Readiness.

Donnelly College uses multiple data sources to identify employer needs and create programming to respond to those needs. Such programs include Practical Nursing, Community Healthworker Program, Urban Teacher Education and the Information Systems Program.