Accreditation at FSCC

Fort Scott Community College operates under the oversight of the Kansas Board of Regents and holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The institution’s accreditation was reaffirmed during the 2015–2016 academic year, with the next review scheduled for 2025–2026.

For inquiries or comments related to accreditation, you can contact the Higher Learning Commission at info@hlcommission.org or by calling 800-621-7440. 

The Higher Learning Commission
230 S. LaSalle Street Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604

President’s Accreditation Advisory Committee

FSCC HLC REPRESENTATIVES

  • Dr. Jack Welch / Chief Executive Officer
  • Susie Arvidson / Assurance System Coordinator
  • Dr. Larry Guerrero / ALO
  • Missy Scott / Chief Financial Officer

FACULTY LEADERS

  • Maria Bahr / Chair, Fine Arts & Humanities and Assessment Coordinator
  • Rory Chaplin / Associate Dean, Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development
  • Vickie Laderer / Director, Nursing
  • Tracy Springer / Chair, Math and Science
  • Sara Sutton / Chair, Agriculture
  • Kevin Thomure / Chair, Business, Behavioral Science, Education, Criminal Justice, Social Science

EXECUTIVE TEAM LEADERS

  • Dr. Jack Welch / Chief Executive Officer
  • Dr. Jim Chandler / Chief of Staff
  • Dr. Larry Guerrero / ALO & Assurance System Coordinator
  • Lindsay Hill / Director, Foundation
  • Juley McDaniel / Director, Human Resources
  • Vanessa Poyner / VP Student Services
  • Missy Scott / Chief Financial Officer
  • Dave Wiemers / Director, Athletics

STAFF LEADERS

  • Jay Allen / Director
  • Susie Arvidson / Director, Library Services & Phi Theta Kappa Sponsor
  • Taylor Bailey / Director, PR & Marketing
  • Ralph Beacham / Director, Grants & Special Projects
  • Stacy Bishop / Director, Student Success Center & TRIO Advisor
  • Steve Denton / Director, Facilities and Operations
  • Jared Dorsey / Director, Print Shop & Webmaster
  • Hannah Dunn / Director, Business Operations
  • Charles Howser / Director, Logistics & Assistant to Print Shop Director
  • Christina Kennedy / Director, FSCC Bookstore
  • Ashley Keylon / Associate Dean, Advising & Student Success
  • Chris Larsen / Director, Information Technology
  • Alyssa Martin / Director, Student Life
  • Holli Mason / Director, TRIO
  • Courtney Metcalf / Registrar & International Student Coordinator
  • Vanessa Poyner / VP Student Affairs & Title IX Coordinator
  • Joshua Ramsey / Manager, Theatre & Technical Director
  • Kirk Sharp / Director, Gordon Parks Museum
  • Sarah Smith / Director, Financial Aid
  • Ben Souza / Director, Institutional Research & Perkins Grant Coordinator
  • Buddy Jo Tanck / Dean, Miami County Campus
  • Jared Wheeler / Director, Admissions

Timeline

DATEACTIVITYTEAM
Fall 2024Develop and distribute the master plan with FSCC mission, vision, values, strategic plan. Communicate the Assurance Argument, Criterion and Core ComponentsAll FSCC employees and students
Spring 2024Identify President’s Accreditation Steering CommitteeAssurance Argument and Core Component Teams
Spring 2024Create Core Component subcommittees to begin drafting narratives and gathering evidence. Begin monthly communication of HLC progress and statusAccreditation Team
Spring 2025Continue drafts of Criterion 1-4Accreditation Team
April 25, 2025Student opinion surveyHLC
May 30, 2025Federal Compliance Review draftAccreditation Team
May 30, 2025Final draft of Assurance Argument and evidence filesAccreditation Team
July 31, 2025Edit for accuracy, clarity, voice. Fix gaps. Share final draft with Board and PresidentAccreditation Team
August 31, 2025Final drafts of Criterion 1-4 and load evidenceAccreditation Team
Sept. 8-9, 2025Mock visit, clean campus and buildings, and offices. Create welcoming workspace. Publish required notices.Accreditation Team All FSCC Team
Sept. 2025Final Assurance Argument files and evidence due to HLC. Create itinerary for visit.Accreditation Team
Sept. 15, 2025Assurance Argument lock date. FSCC materials made available to HLC review teamHLC
Oct. 13-14, 2025On-Site HLC Comprehensive Evaluation visitHLC Peer Review Team