Southeast Community College has been granted the maximum continuing accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council.
“This is a wonderful outcome for all of our constituents, including our students, our employees, our Board of Governors, and our taxpayers,” said Dr. Jack Huck, SCC president. “It truly validates the quality of our programs, the commitment of our staff and the support of our Board and communities.”
The next Reaffirmation of Accreditation for SCC is scheduled for 2022-2023. The college will issue a progress report to the HLC in 2017 regarding assessment of programs and general education student learning outcomes as detailed in the evaluation report.
More than 135 SCC employees served on various committees as the process toward reaccreditation began in 2011. A team of HLC evaluators visited the college last October. During an exit interview with Huck, the group cited many strengths and made positive comments about SCC and what has been accomplished since the last reaccreditation in 2002.
“There was only one area that was cited for needing continuing attention and that is the area of student assessment and general education,” Huck said. “This would be a reality for most all colleges across the country, and our list of items needing attention is short and very doable.”
Accreditation provides assurance to the public that an institution has been found to meet the HLC’s clearly stated requirements and criteria and will continue to do so, Huck said. Accreditation helps establish credibility and a strong reputation and validates SCC’s learning outcomes by certifying that they meet or exceed established criteria.
“Accredited schools are held to a set of strict standards, and they must maintain those standards,” Huck said. “Accreditation also reinforces our reputation as a quality institution with employers and other colleges and universities.”
Accreditation ensures that programs of study fulfill the basic role of providing students with a quality education, and it facilitates the transfer of course credits between institutions. There also are financial aid implications. To be eligible for federal financial aid and veteran’s benefits, students need to be enrolled in an accredited program that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation makes SCC eligible for federal grant funding. And accreditation assures employers that SCC has quality programs of study.
The HLC, a commission of the North Central Association, asked the college to evaluate itself based upon how well it meets the following five criteria:
Criterion 1: The organization operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission through structures and processes that involve the board, administration, faculty, staff, and students.
Criterion 2: The organization’s allocation of resources and its processes for evaluation and planning demonstrate its capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its education, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Criterion 3: The organization provides evidence of student learning and teaching effectiveness that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission.
Criterion 4: The organization promotes a life of learning for its faculty, administration, staff, and students by fostering and supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility in ways consistent with its mission.
Criterion 5: As called for by its mission, the organization identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways both value.
Huck is grateful for all of the time and energy invested by SCC employees throughout the reaccreditation process.
“Our employees’ contribution to this successful outcome is extremely important and very much appreciated,” he said. “I thank them for their participation and continuing commitment. Our strength is built upon their quality of engagement with every student.”