The four cross-cutting themes are present in all the criteria studied for reaccreditation. In identifying these themes, the Commission had several purposes in mind:

• Highlight primary attributes of effective and high-performance organizations valued by the Commission
• Establish broad benchmarks for evaluating the interpretation and application of the new Criteria
• Indicate the interrelatedness of the Criteria
• Suggest an organizational schema that could inform self-study processes and give structure to self-study reports

I. The Future-Oriented Organization

(Theme I Notes)

• Engages in planning
• Is driven by the mission
• Understands social and economic change
• Focuses on the future of constituents
• Integrates new technology

II. The Learning-Focused Organization

(Theme II Notes)

• Assesses student learning
• Supports learning
• Support scholarship
• Creates the capacity for lifelong learning
• Strengthens organizational learning

III. The Connected Organization

(Theme III Notes)

• Serves the common good
• Serves constituents
• Creates a culture of service
• Collaborates
• Engages in healthy internal communication

IV. The Distinctive Organization

(Theme IV Notes)

• Has an unambiguous mission
• Appreciates diversity
• Is accountable
• Is self-reflective
• Is committed to improvement

*All information quoted from The Higher Learning Commission Handbook of Accreditation, version 1:10