4/24/24

HAYS, Kan – Fort Hays State University earned the renewal of its five-year United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Quality Standards certification. The announcement of the recertification comes after an extensive 91-point quality review self-inspection and a site visit by a team of USDLA examiners. USDLA’s Standards of Practice recertification evaluation focused on FHSU Online’s administrative, student support, infrastructure, leadership, management, and teaching and learning practices.

FHSU Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Leadership Dennis King welcomed the five-year recertification.

“USDLA is a rigorous certification that FHSU is committed to because it helps set a high standard for our offerings,” he said. “We are pleased to be one of the few institutions in the nation that meet their rigorous quality standards.”

The USDLA team’s two-day site visit included meetings with more than 30 FHSU faculty, staff, and students, including executive and student affairs leadership, the university’s Teaching Innovation and Learning Technologies (TILT) team, FHSU Online staff and students, Forsyth Library staff, academic department chairs, deans, and the University Marketing group. 

FHSU Online Director Kayla Hickel found the process served as a well-deserved recognition for the talented people at FHSU who deliver world-class online learning experiences.

“The best part of the recertification process was engaging in conversations with the USDLA certification team and various groups across campus,” Hickel said. “Our work with USDLA was uplifting and clearly demonstrated that FHSU operates according to the best industry practices and our shared commitment to continuous improvement.”