Colleges and universities across the country assure the educational community and the public that each institution meets high standards of quality and effectiveness by going through a rigorous accreditation process. LMU received our most recent regional accreditation from WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2015, and in maintaining this accreditation, LMU will be submitting an institutional report and supporting documents in July 2024 and hosting a site visit from a WSCUC team in September 2024.
Because of the high quality of the last accreditation results, LMU has been chosen as part of a select group of institutions participating in the Thematic Pathway for Reaffirmation (TPR). According to WSCUC, the TPR was developed for institutions that demonstrate consistent evidence of a healthy fiscal condition, strong student achievement indicators, and sustained quality performance. This pathway is as rigorous as the traditional institutional review process, but the timeline is streamlined, and in addition to demonstrating compliance with the standards, the TPR allows institutions to focus on a self-selected continuous improvement theme.
LMU has selected inclusive student success as its TPR theme, with a focus on elements of the curriculum, such as the University Core, inclusive pedagogy, and graduate programs, and the co-curriculum, including student orientation, student leadership programs, and our libraries.
Over the past 12 months, the LMU WSCUC Reaccreditation Steering Committee has been meeting to prepare for our 10-year institutional review for reaffirmation. The committee, composed of representatives from across the university, includes:
- Tamara Armstrong (Information Technology Services)
- José Badenes (Undergraduate Education)
- Jennifer Belichesky-Larson (Strategic Initiatives)
- Kristine Brancolini (William H. Hannon Library)
- Myla Bui (LMU College of Business Administration Faculty; Faculty Senate)
- Emelyn dela Peña (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
- Stephanie Limoncelli (LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts Faculty)
- Jeremy McCallum (LMU Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering Faculty)
- Russell Mayer, co-chair (Accreditation Liaison Officer)
- Philip Molebash (LMU School of Education Faculty)
- John Parrish, co-chair (President’s Office)
- Rich Rocheleau (Student Affairs)
- Beth Serlin (LMU School of Film and Television Faculty)
- Theodore Seto (LMU Loyola Law School Faculty)
- Aimee Uen (Finance)
- Leon Wiebers (LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts Faculty, Faculty Senate)
The Committee is responsible for submitting a 50-75 page self-study report that presents an evidence-based argument to demonstrate how LMU continues to meet WSCUC’s Standards for Accreditation. The committee has and will continue to consult and partner with faculty, staff, and students across the university to build the strongest case possible for institutional reaccreditation.
More information about the reaccreditation process and the next steps we are taking as a university will be shared in the coming months. To learn more about WSCUC and LMU’s accreditation, please visit this website.