Southeast Community College was accredited most recently in 2002.  The Higher Learning Commission is visiting SCC this October to review a self-study that SCC staff and faculty have been working together on.

“The Higher Learning Commission is responsible for the oversight of institutions of higher education in this region,” commented English Chair Carolee Ritter.

She, Registrar Diane Rink and Dean of Construction, Electronics, Communication and Information Technology Glenn Pasho make up the Tri-Chairs of the Steering Team for the self-study.  The self-study was compiled and written up by Resource Development Specialist Judy Shonerd.

“We oversee the seven different sub-teams and making sure things are working smooth,” Pasho noted.  He further noted that managing the 136 individuals in the self-study was challenging.  “It was interesting…getting everyone on the same page as to what the criteria meant,” he spoke with a smile.

“Everything we do…is supposed to revolve around fulfilling the college mission,” Ritter suggested.  “The HLC wants to get the human side of the college.”

Ritter noted that the HLC visitors will have an agenda.  “They will want to meet with students, people…and groups.”  She went on to observe that the HLC is not some bureau from the government, but rather peers and staff from other schools.  “It’s a peer review process.”

The HLC holds significant power in a college.  Ritter commented that new programs, classes and online additions all are run by the HLC before they are approved.

HLC Accreditation affects the students far more directly as well.  Pasho emphasized that students “Be aware that the process is going to happen and how accreditation affects them.

“If we’re not accredited, students can’t get financial aid,” Pasho observed.  It would also strip a college of its ability to transfer credits.  “It would hurt our academic transfer program.”

Pasho also addressed that the effects of losing these benefits also affect the reputation of the school.  He stated that it would be increasingly difficult to recruit new students without the ability to transfer and obtain financial aid.

“We are planning events for summer quarter,” Ritter suggested, to raise awareness of the event.  “…so we can inform people in a fun way.”  She said that she would not be surprised of the visitors from the HLC would pull a student or instructor aside to ask questions about the school from that individual.

The visit takes place this October and students are encouraged to keep their ears open for updates about the visit and SCC’s status.

The self-study newsletters can be found at http://www.southeast.edu/discover/aboutSCC
More information about the HLC can be found at http://www.ncahlc.org/