North Idaho College made progress on the ongoing recommendations from accreditors, according to a report released late Wednesday from evaluators who visited the college last month.

The report bodes well for school leaders, who hope to return to good standing with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities at their next meeting in January. NIC is currently on probation.

The 17-page report evaluates both recommendations to return to good standing and issues that are part of a typical mid-cycle evaluation.

“The report recognizes consistent, measurable progress under the leadership of our current Board of Trustees,” Nick Swayne, NIC president, wrote in an email to employees Wednesday evening. “The changes made over the past year are meaningful and, more importantly, sustainable.”

Read the full report here. 

Recommendations

• The Board of Trustees must adhere to institutional and Board policies, especially ones related to appropriate roles and responsibilities, expectations, professional conduct and ethics and grievance procedures

Board members described their ability to share varying viewpoints and discuss complex issues, along with keeping up a regular policy-review cycle. Newly elected trustees “successfully completed a robust onboarding process.” Members of the president’s cabinet also confirmed the current board complies with its conduct policy.

“The trustees consistently demonstrate respect for each other and follow proper decorum,” cabinet members emphasized to the NWCCU’s representatives.

The board should codify an annual self-assessment and review of board goals, the report suggested.

• NIC needed to rebuild its administrative and academic leadership team (hiring a permanent president and vacant interim vice president roles)

President Nick Swayne’s contract was renewed in December of 2024 and documents showed trustees followed policies on presidential evaluation and goal setting. The senior leadership has largely been re-established the report found. The college has a plan to hire a permanent provost, with a national search, after they are back in good standing with NWCCU.

• The trustees needed to resolve all issues underpinning votes of no confidence from campus groups

The evaluators confirmed that all votes of no confidence were resolved at the November 2024 board meeting. Trustees told evaluators they are interested in regularly receiving constituent reports on a wide range of issues and hope to use the reports to identify concerns early and address them.

Evaluators found that faculty and staff are “acutely aware” of the new board policies and plan to continue watching closely to ensure they are followed.

• The board and college president should ensure they adhere to the inclusivity articulated in the school’s planning and decision making processes. And the president and trustees should have a respectful working relationship.

Evaluators wrote that an updated presidential evaluation process, annual budget approval process, development of a clear strategic plan and hiring of a college attorney based on the president’s recommendation are all signs of an appropriate relationship.

Swayne told evaluators he has regular, positive informal and formal communication with each trustee.

“The board chair, in turn, described the board’s role as advising the president and letting him lead the college,” the report reads.

Other areas for growth

In a postscript, evaluators also looked at two recommendations that were less critical for returning to good standing.

NIC was tasked with improving employee retention and maintaining adequate staffing.

Fewer staff are leaving the college, human resources data showed. The college also successfully hired for critical positions, including a permanent chief human resources officer.

The college also needed to adjust their business model to ensure financial stability in the long-term.

Evaluators found progress with improved transparency in financial planning and targeted budget reductions.

“Leaders noted that the college has emerged from a period of ‘survival model’ and is now focused on developing a sustainable framework for resource alignment,” the report reads.

Still cabinet members suggested a more formalized budget prioritization process would help.

While the report shows progress, Swayne has his eye on a return to good standing early next year.

“We know we’re on a positive path to an improved outcome, and look forward to celebrating it with all of you,” Swayne wrote. “Thank you for everything you do for our college. Your commitment to quality, integrity, and student success makes all the difference.”