What Does Higher Learning Commission Do?

Total employees287
HeadquartersChicago
Founded1895

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in a 19-state region, and also nationally. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), HLC's mission is to serve the common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning. It focuses on quality assurance, institutional improvement, and public accountability.

Where Is Higher Learning Commission's Headquarters?

HQ Function

The headquarters serves as the central administrative and operational hub for all HLC activities. This includes managing accreditation processes, policy development, institutional support, peer reviewer training, and hosting meetings and events.

Notable Features:

Located in a historic skyscraper in Chicago's Loop, the office provides modern facilities equipped for conferences, workshops, and collaborative work, reflecting its role as a significant entity in higher education.

Work Culture:

The work culture at HLC is characterized by professionalism, a mission-driven focus on educational quality, collaboration among staff and with member institutions, and a commitment to integrity and ethical practices in accreditation.

HQ Significance:

As the operational center for one of the largest regional accreditors in the U.S., the headquarters is pivotal in overseeing the quality of hundreds of educational institutions, thereby impacting millions of students and the integrity of higher education across its extensive region.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' operations and environment aim to reflect HLC's core values: integrity, quality, service, collaboration, innovation, and accountability in advancing higher education.

Location:

The Higher Learning Commission primarily accredits institutions within the United States. While its core mission is focused on U.S. higher education, it can accredit U.S.-based institutions that offer programs internationally or have international branch campuses, provided they meet specific criteria, including a significant U.S. presence. HLC also engages with international quality assurance networks to share best practices and stay informed about global higher education standards and trends, but it does not typically accredit foreign institutions that lack a U.S. home campus or substantial U.S. operational base.

Street Address:

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500

City:

Chicago

State/Province:

IL

Country:

USA

Where Else Does Higher Learning Commission Operate Around the World?

No additional office locations available.

Buying Intent Signals for Higher Learning Commission

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
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Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Higher Learning Commission? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Higher Learning Commission' leadership includes:

Barbara Gellman-Danley, Ph.D. - President
Eric Martin, Ed.D. - Executive Vice President
Anthea L. Sweeney, J.D. - Vice President for Legal and Governmental Affairs and General Counsel
Tammi Davis - Chief Financial Officer
Mary Kirk, Ph.D. - Vice President for Accreditation Relations
Stephanie Purnell, Ed.D. - Vice President for Accreditation Relations

Who's Investing in Higher Learning Commission?

Higher Learning Commission has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Not applicable. The Higher Learning Commission is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its funding primarily comes from accreditation fees, membership dues from accredited institutions, and revenue from its annual conference and workshops.

What Leadership Changes Has Higher Learning Commission Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

Specific details on staff executive hires or exits at the Higher Learning Commission are not prominently featured in public news summaries over the past 12 months. Significant leadership changes are typically announced on HLC's official website or through direct communications. The HLC Board of Trustees regularly undergoes elections for new members and officers as part of its governance cycle.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byHigher Learning Commission?

Discover the tools Higher Learning Commission uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Higher Learning Commission Email Formats and Examples

The Higher Learning Commission does not publicly list its standard email format. However, a common professional email format used by many organizations, including academic and non-profit entities, is [first_initial][last_name]@[domain] or [first_name].[last_name]@[domain].

[first_initial][last_name]@hlcommission.org (e.g., jdoe@hlcommission.org)

Format

bgellman-danley@hlcommission.org

Example

70%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Higher Learning Commission?

Higher Learning Commission NewsFebruary 26, 2024

Higher Learning Commission Statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s New Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Regulations

HLC issued a statement regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s new regulations concerning financial value transparency and gainful employment, discussing its stance and commitment to supporting institutions through these changes....more

Higher Learning Commission NewsJanuary 29, 2024

Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees Elects Officers and New Members

The Higher Learning Commission announced that its Board of Trustees elected new officers and welcomed new public and institutional members, effective September 1, 2023, and also following its November 2023 meeting....more

Higher Learning Commission NewsApril 8, 2024

Higher Learning Commission President Barbara Gellman-Danley Announces Retirement

Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley announced her retirement as President of the Higher Learning Commission, effective September 2025, after more than a decade of leadership. The Board of Trustees will initiate a national search for her successor....more

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