CCBC Gains First Accreditation as a Single, Multi-Campus College

After much anticipation, the letter finally arrived - the Middles States Commission on Higher Education declared CCBC as fully accredited based on its extensive peer review. Although the individual campuses were accredited before the merger in 1998, this was the first time that CCBC has received accreditation since becoming a single college, multi-campus institution.

Discussion regarding accreditation began in 1999 when CCBC started talks of conducting an exhaustive institutional self-study. The self-study was a two-year process that was followed by a site visit from a peer review evaluation team appointed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The purpose of the site visit was to ensure that the information provided in the self-study was accurate and a true reflection of CCBC.

CCBC received complimentary reviews from the Middle States Commission peer review team citing that the college has a clear sense of purpose and direction with a commitment to student achievement and success. The Commission further noted that CCBC is "driven by an appropriate mission statement, bolstered by a competent, talented and dedicated faculty, led by a quality administration and supported by a hard-working and committed classified staff and governed by an informed Board of Trustees."

The Middle States Commission was so impressed with CCBC's accreditation efforts that it requested permission to use CCBC's self study report as a model that can be shared with other institutions of higher education. The Commission also asked CCBC accreditation committee co-chairs, Drs. Carol Sullivan and Henry Link, to provide training to colleges planning to embark on the accreditation process.

"The entire college should be rejoicing," said Chancellor McPhail. "Accreditation is no easy task. It takes teamwork and a commitment to the college's mission. We have proven to the Commission that we have the faculty, staff and programs in place that are committed to carrying out the LearningFirst mission. I am so proud of all our CCBC employees - without the dedication and commitment that they show every day to our students, accreditation would not be possible."