Dr. EunKyung 'E.K.' Jeong Receives National Recognition for Strengthening Higher Education

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has awarded its Criteria Champion Award to SWOSU Professor EunKyung "E.K." Jeong for her exemplary contributions and principled commitment to HLC's accreditation standards and her work in higher education. The honor was announced during the 2026 HLC Annual Conference in Chicago.

Jeong, with over 25 years of experience in higher education, was recognized for her ongoing contributions to the integrity and health of higher education. Dr. Jeong advocates for a model of genuine peer review-a collaborative and objective process designed to ensure academic integrity and foster the long-term sustainability of educational institutions.

"Upholding the value of a college education requires a collective commitment to academic excellence and meaningful institutional improvement," said Jeong. "I am especially grateful for the guidance of the HLC leadership and the seasoned reviewers and team chairs who have mentored me. Our work ensures that accreditation remains a meaningful process that supports institutional health and the dedicated faculty, staff, and students who fulfill our mission."

A uniquely versatile evaluator, Jeong holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in the humanities-encompassing art, music, and theatre-as well as an MBA, both of which support her work with institutional review.

In addition to her role as an HLC Peer Reviewer, Jeong is a Fulbright U.S. Scholar currently serving on the Fulbright Specialist Roster (2024-2027). She also completed a Women in Leadership certificate from Cornell University. Jeong continues to serve as a vital link between excellence in institutional accreditation and classroom integrity as a professor in the Department of Creative Media & Visual Arts at SWOSU.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditation agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu.