Dakota College Achieves Milestone of 50 Years of Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission

Dakota College at Bottineau was recently notified that it has been re-accredited through 2029-30 by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Higher Learning Commission is the largest regional accreditor in the United States of degree-granting institutions of higher education. Continued accreditation is important as it assures students that the college is eligible to award federal financial aid. Accreditation also serves an important role in facilitating the transfer of college coursework from one institution to another, as it informs receiving institutions that the college has met a set of standards that help ensure a quality education. Dakota College at Bottineau was first accredited in 1971 and the most recent approval marks 50 years of continued accreditation for the college.

Dakota College was originally scheduled to have its accreditation on-site visit in April of 2020, but the COVID pandemic changed these plans. Instead of an in-person visit, the HLC conducted a preliminary visit via virtual technology, which was a new process for both the Commission and the college. This visit was followed with an in-person visit by a representative of the HLC in October, 2020. The college received notification in late December that its accreditation was scheduled to be approved and the official action is now posted on the HLC website. The approval caps approximately three years of preparations by Dakota College involving faculty and staff from across the college. These efforts were led by Dr. Lexi Kvasnicka-Gates, Associate Professor of Social Science.

Dakota College is proud to provide a quality education aiming for student success in academics and professional careers. Dr. Jerry Migler, Campus Dean, notes that “Achieving continued accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission is a tribute to the hard work of all Dakota College faculty and staff to ensure that our students receive a high-quality education. We are proud to be continuing our long tradition of being an accredited college.”