Butler Announces Results of HLC Accreditation Report

Butler Community College has announced the results of its recent Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation report. The outstanding report details the ways in which Butler met five essential Criteria as well as all but one of the Core Components necessary to receive reaccreditation for another ten-year cycle. 

In its renewal, Butler received a continued  “Open Pathway” designation from HLC, privileged status among higher ed institutions. The Open Pathway, which includes a Quality Initiative as an improvement component, affords institutions the opportunity to determine their improvement projects to meet current needs and aspirations. Many colleges and universities have a “Standard Pathway” designation, which involves additional HLC oversight and site team visits. 

“The site team’s extremely positive assessment of Butler is a testament to the daily work our faculty and staff do in support of our students to make Butler the very best institution it can be,” said Butler President Dr. Kimberly Krull. “The many points of praise listed in the report indicate a thriving institution focused on serving its local community,” she said. 

The official report states “Butler Community College is a mature institution [whose] reputation is enhanced by its many cultural contributions and community service projects, [and whose] employees focus on providing an environment and appropriate resources to support students through to completion of educational goals.” 

Dr. Tom Bordenkircher, Butler’s HLC liaison, lauded the work being done by the college. “This institution knocked it out of the park. There’s a lot to stand up and be immensely proud about,” he said. “This is probably the best this institution has ever done. It most definitely is at the top tier of all of Kansas.” 

The only Core Component Butler did not meet was related to Board Governance. This Core Component was “Met With Concerns”, which requires an interim monitoring report be submitted to HLC to show progress in meeting the Core Component by February 2024. “The fact that we have only one significant issue of concern is great news,” said Dr. Krull. “The Board has already begun discussing the monitoring report and will work to address the concerns quickly and comprehensively.”

The full report and a detailed summary can be found here.