Kellogg Community College is pleased to announce the completion of its latest 10-year accreditation cycle and the full accreditation of the College by the Higher Learning Commission, effective Feb. 28, 2022.
Accreditation is an external review process assuring colleges, universities and education programs meet rigorous quality and improvement standards. Among other practical aspects for students, accreditation allows KCC students to receive federal financial aid and transfer select credits to other colleges and universities.
Interim KCC President Dr. Paul Watson II said the reaccreditation reaffirms the College’s commitment to its mission and high standards of educational excellence in the community.
“The College’s latest reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission confirms once again the quality and excellence of the education provided here at Kellogg Community College, and validates our professed commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to enrich the lives of our community and individual learners,” Dr. Watson said. “HLC accreditation proves our Bruin students are held to the highest standards of education to prepare them adequately for their goals of pursuing further education or entering the workforce.”
KCC Board of Trustees Chair Steve Claywell called the reaccreditation “expected and welcome news that will be of no surprise to those familiar with KCC.”
“Kellogg Community College has an excellent reputation for producing high-quality graduates prepared to contribute meaningfully to communities locally and far beyond our service area,” Claywell said. “Reaccreditation from the High Learning Commission is a mark to prospective students, current students and employers alike that graduates of KCC meet the standards necessary for today’s modern workforce or transfer to a four-year institution.”
The reaccreditation process evaluates formal educational activities and institutional operations essential to the effectiveness of the institution. KCC spent more than a year preparing for the process, which involved several College-wide assessment activities and meetings including both employees and students; the preparation of an exhaustive reaffirmation of accreditation report for the HLC; and a campus site visit from HLC representatives that took place this past fall.
Dr. Watson called the process a team effort involving every KCC constituent.
“KCC is indebted to our students, our Board of Trustees, our community partners and businesses, our faculty, and our staff and administrators for contributing to the process and sharing their insight with the HLC review team,” Dr. Watson said. “We are the community’s college, and as such we strive to continuously improve as it relates to students’ aspirations, workforce demands and community expectations.”
Along with the official reaccreditation notification are requirements for an Interim Report from KCC to the HLC, including information related to improvements in assessment-related processes; student retention, persistence and completion outcomes; and a comprehensive enrollment management plan. This report is due in June 2023.
The College is evaluated for reaffirmation of accreditation every 10 years and will next be evaluated in 2031-32.
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