Institutional Accreditation
Accreditation is an external review and evaluation process that ensures the quality and integrity of an institution of higher education. The accreditation process ensures that institutions are delivering on their promises to students for high-quality education, maintaining fiscal responsibility, using resources wisely, and committed to ongoing improvement. Institutional accreditation is required for many forms of federal funding, including some financial aid for students.
Northern Arizona University (NAU) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an accrediting body recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
All academic programs at NAU are fully accredited through the HLC. Some programs are also recognized through specialized program accreditation from industry-recognized organizations.
NAU’s most recent comprehensive review occurred in 2017–2018, reaffirming its authority to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees. NAU’s next reaffirmation of accreditation will occur in 2027–2028.
The HLC Open Pathway
NAU participates in the HLC’s Open Pathway, a 10‑year accreditation cycle designed to ensure quality assurance and foster continuous institutional improvement. Consequently, the different stages of evaluation allow us to recognize and celebrate our successes and identify areas for further improvement.
The cycle includes:
- Year 4: Assurance Review (NAU Year 4 2022 Quality Assurance Report; HLC Peer Reviewers’ Report 2022) Documents are coming soon.
- Years 5–9: Quality Initiative project (NAU 2025 Quality Initiative Report; HLC Peer Reviewers’ Report 2025.) Documents are coming soon.
- Year 10: Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Reaffirmation of Accreditation
In 2027-28, NAU will have its comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation. The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that we continue to meet the Criteria for Accreditation, engage in institutional improvement, and comply with specific federal requirements.
The comprehensive evaluation consists of the following components:
- Assurance Review
For the Assurance Review, NAU will submit an Assurance Argument that demonstrates that we have met the Criteria for Accreditation through the use of supporting evidence.
- NAU-Yuma Branch Campus Report
NAU will submit a report focused on NAU-Yuma, covering governance and oversight of the institution’s operations, such as the processes for assuring and improving educational quality, resource allocation, evaluation and planning.
- Federal Compliance Review
This review demonstrates that we are meet our Title IV program responsibilities and comply with specific regulations required by the US Department of Education. In order for the college to be eligible for federal financial aid, we must demonstrate compliance with these federal requirements. As a federally recognized accrediting agency, HLC is charged with conducting this review.
- Student Opinion Survey
In Spring 2027, HLC will administer an online student opinion survey. The survey provides our students with the opportunity to participate in the evaluation process and to help peer reviewers identify potential areas for further inquiry during their visit.
- On-site Peer Review Visit, scheduled for September 13-14, 2027
On-site visits are conducted by a peer review team, consisting of faculty and administrators from other higher education institutions and who are trained by HLC. The visit occurs after the peer review team reviews the Assurance Argument, the NAU-Yuma Branch Campus report, the Federal Compliance report, and the student opinion survey. The site visit will be scheduled for 1 1/2 days and include meetings with the institution’s leadership, Arizona Board of Regents, as well as open forums with faculty, staff and students. The peer review team will seek to validate and confirm that NAU has met the criteria for accreditation.
For questions regarding the accreditation at Northern Arizona University, contact Laurie Dickson, Vice President for University Strategy, Laurie.Dickson@nau.edu, 928-523-1829.
Preparations for 2027-2028 Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee will provide leadership throughout the reaffirmation process.
Steering committee membership, as of April 23, 2026
| Name | Title/Role |
| Laurie Dickson | Vice President for University Strategy; Steering committee chair |
| Pending student representative | Student representative |
| Kate Ellis | President, Faculty Senate |
| Bjorn Flugstad | Senior Vice President for University Operations |
| Jizel Gomez | Student representative |
| Laura Jones | Chief Data Officer |
| Stephanie LHommedieu | Manager, Theater and Public Events |
| Justin Mallett | Vice President for Inclusive Excellence |
| T. Mark Montoya | Associate Dean for Academic Initiatives and Student Affairs, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Anika Olsen | Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Marketing |
| Julie Piering | Dean, College of Arts and Letters |
| Karen Pugliesi | Executive Vice President and University Provost |
| Brian Register | Chief of Staff |
| Michael Sabath | Dean and Campus Executive Officer, NAU-Yuma |
| Margot Saltonstall | Vice President of Student Affairs |
| Kerry Thompson | Associate Vice Provost for General Studies, Curriculum, and Assessment |
| Ashley Vaughan | Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education |
| Jason Wilder | Vice President for Research |
| Ian Wischmeier | Registrar |
| Pending confirmation | Faculty representative-Statewide |
Working Groups
Six working groups will carry out the analytical and writing work of reaffirmation, each focused on a distinct area of HLC criteria. Membership noted, as of April 23, 2026.
Criterion 1. Mission
The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.
Lead: Laurie Dickson, Vice President for University Strategy
- Erin Kruse, Director of the Center for Service and Volunteerism
- Margot Saltonstall, Vice President for Student Affairs
- Kim Ott, Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications
- John Georgas, Sr. Vice Provost for Academic Operations
- Cesar Flores, Vice Provost for Global Education
Criterion 2. Integrity
Ethical and Responsible Conduct - In fulfilling its mission, the institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
Lead: Laurie Dickson, Vice President for University Strategy
- Roger Bounds, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
- Bjorn Flugstad, Vice President for University Operations, or designee
- Meagan Decker, Vice President for Human Resource, or designee
- Anika Olsen, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Marketing (Marcella later)
- Jason Wilder, Vice President for Research, or designee
- Justin Mallett, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
- Brian Register, Chief of Staff
- Yvonne Luna, Vice Provost for Academic and Workforce Alliances
Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning for Student Success
The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. The rigor and quality of each educational program is consistent regardless of modality, location or other differentiating factors.
Lead: Kerry Thompson, Associate Vice Provost for General Studies, Curriculum, and Assessment
- Stephanie Winters, Academic Support Director
- Wendy Bruun, Associate Vice President, Student Life Experiences
- Laura Jones, Chief Data Officer
- Roger Bounds, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
- Carmin Chan, Vice Provost for Online Education
- Amy Rushall, Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning
- Laura Bounds, Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
- Helen Hemmer, Associate Vice President for Academic Support
Campus-wide Learning, Evidence, and Academic Reflection (CLEAR) initiative
The Criterion 3 Working Group is supported by the work of the faculty participating in Campus-wide Learning, Evidence, and Academic Reflection (CLEAR) initiative.
Faculty and academic leaders from across the colleges serve on the CLEAR initiative to lead NAU’s institution-wide engagement with Criterion 3, Core Components A., B., E. and F. This work ensures that NAU can clearly demonstrate the quality and coherence of its academic programs through inclusive, evidence-based reflection on teaching and learning.
Lead: Kerry Thompson, Associate Vice Provost for General Studies, Curriculum, and Assessment
- Stephanie Winters, Academic Assessment
- Kortney Zesiger, CHHS
- Monica Acosta Alvarado, NAU Yuma
- Kara Attrep, Honors
- Ellie Blair, CEFNS
- Natalie Cawood, CHHS
- Samantha Clifford, SBS
- Christopher Griffin, CAL
- Todd Johnson, FCB
- Emily Manone, General Studies Program
- James Palmer, SCE
- Scot Raab, CEFNS
- Donelle Ruwe, COE
- Adonna Rometo, CEFNS
- Ann Leslie Vert, CON
Criterion 4. Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
The institution’s resources, structures, policies, procedures and planning enable it to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational programs, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Lead: Laurie Dickson, Vice President for University Strategy
- Faculty Senate President
- Bjorn Flugstad, Vice President for University Operations
- Meagan Decker, Vice President for Human Resource
- Anika Olsen, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Marketing
- Laura Jones, Chief Data Officer
Federal Compliance
Lead: Ian Wischmeier, Registrar
- Corrine McCawley, Assistant Vice Provost for NAU Online
- Chris Mott, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management
- Carmin Chan, Vice Provost for Online Education
- Yvonne Luna, Vice Provost for Academic and Workforce Alliances
- Kerry Thompson, Associate Vice Provost for General Studies, Curriculum, and Assessment
Branch Campus
Lead: Mike Sabath, Dean and Campus Executive Officer, NAU-Yuma
- Aimee Quinn, NAU-Yuma Librarian
- Chris Mott, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management
- Alex Steenstra, Professor, NAU-Yuma
Reaffirmation Timeline
| March 2026 | Reaffirmation Process Launch with campus communication and formation of Steering Committee and Working Groups |
| April – December 2026 | Working Groups draft Assurance Argument, Federal Compliance Filing, and Branch Campus reports and identify concrete evidence to demonstrate compliance with all aspects of institutional accreditation. Consultation with Steering Committee Consultation with Campus Community |
| January – March 2027 | Steering Committee reviews final Assurance Argument and supporting evidence, Federal Compliance Filing, and Branch Campus report |
| March – April 2027 | Reports available for campus input HLC conducts an online survey of NAU’s student body. |
| April – August 2027 | Reports and Evidence compiled in HLC system |
| August 16, 2027 | NAU officially submits Comprehensive Review materials. |
| August – September 2027 | Campus preparation for Site Visits |
| September 13-14, 2027 | NAU hosts On-site Visit of HLC Peer Review Team in Flagstaff and Yuma. |
| By early spring 2028 | NAU receives final decision regarding reaffirmation of accreditation. |