Conclusion
The Robert B. Miller College approached the self-study process with the following specific goals in mind:
-Identify Miller College strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.
-Engage the entire Miller College campus community in a meaningful assessment that would lead to continuous improvement.
-Engage the Community stakeholders/guests with the campus community in a meaningful assessment that would address the expectations and status of the expectations of the College constituents.
-Demonstrate that Miller College meets the North Central Association-Higher Learning Commission’s Criteria for Continued Accreditation.
Throughout the Self-Study Process, Miller College reviewed the expectations of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities, as well as the expectations of the Miller College Board of Trustees, The Miller Foundation and the expectations of our own College faculty, staff, and students. The evidence presented in this self-study report indicates that, since the 2007 site visit, Miller College has been immersed in the continuous improvement process and has made incredible strides in accomplishing its goals and is meeting the challenges set before them for today, tomorrow and the future.
In fact, the evidence presented in this self-study document reveals a small private institution that is meeting the needs of the community it serves with high quality standards.
The Robert B. Miller College was established in response to a call from the business and educational community of Calhoun County for an affordable, locally-based institution of higher learning at which residents of the Battle Creek area could complete bachelor’s degrees. Prior to the establishment of Miller College, higher education options for students and workers living in the Battle Creek area were limited to associate’s degree programs through Kellogg Community College and a small number of bachelor’s degree completion programs offered through extension sites by Michigan colleges based in other localities. However, none of these programs afforded students the opportunity to complete all of the coursework for a bachelor’s degree in Battle Creek, requiring that students commute to fulfill residency obligations at the respective institutions.
As a consequence of this lack of a local avenue for completing bachelor’s degrees, the Battle Creek area had one of the lowest per capita rates of adults holding bachelor’s degrees or higher in the state of Michigan, according to US Census figures. Furthermore, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research compiled statistics indicating that the metropolitan area with the lowest percentage of adults age 25 to 34 holding bachelor’s degrees in Michigan is Battle Creek in his address: Stormy weather: Calhoun county economic outlook 2008-2009 in his presentation by the W.E.Upjohn Institute for Employment Research to Battle Creek Unlimited and the Battle Creek Foundation.
Evidence:
Miller College has now answered that call by not only providing a college to receive a bachelor’s degree, but also now has a high quality, learner-centered, affordable educational institution available to residents wishing to complete their bachelor’s degree. The city now has a senior-level institution that has gained tremendous respect and support from stakeholders in the community. And, the city now has an institution that meets the expectations for accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Request for Reaccreditation
As demonstrated throughout the self-study report, The Robert B. Miller College fulfills the Higher Learning Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. With tremendous pride and confidence the College requests reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities.
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