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Accreditation. You’ve heard the word, but what does it mean? And why is it important to you? Accreditation is an on-going process that
colleges and universities go through to evaluate the overall educational quality and effectiveness of an institution. The evaluation culminates
in a Self Study, which shows strengths and weaknesses that allow a college to continue to improve.
Every six years, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, or ACCJC, sends a team to evaluate a college.
MSJC will host the ACCJC’s evaluation team during the week of October 17th. The team, selected by the ACCJC is comprised of
faculty members, administrators and classified staff members from other community colleges around the state. These team members are
charged with combing through MSJC’s Self Study, carefully analyzing it and visiting the college to make sure MSJC is meeting the
standards. There are four standards the college must meet: Institutional Mission and Effectiveness. In short,
how are we living up to our mission and how do we plan to continue to do so? The next one is Student Learning Programs and Services. This
standard allows us to determine how much students are learning and how our programs and services help achieve that goal.
Resources, which looks at everything from our facilities to our finances to our employees. And then finally, Leadership and Governance
This one helps us look at the Board of Trustees, the Superintendent/President and other leadership like the Student Trustee.
Who is involved in this Self Study? As I indicated earlier, the Self Study is the culmination of a year of self evaluation and reflection. Everyone gets
involved: Faculty members, non-teaching staff, administrators and students all participated in developing the 2011 Self Study. They review
programs, look at data and develop new strategies that help us improve, meet our goals and, ultimately, meet the accreditation standards.
Now, here’s why accreditation is so important for you: An accredited institution means the public can be assured that the college meets all of the
above standards. It means that the education earned at the college is of value to the student. Accreditation also means that employers, trade
or profession-related licensing agencies and other colleges or universities can accept a student’s degree or credential as legitimate.
MSJC’s accreditation was previously reaffirmed in 2006.The 2011 Self Study can be found online at www.msjc.edu.
Just click on the Self Study icon on the front page. While this 450 page report may not be as exciting as reading the latest thriller or
going to the movies, I do encourage you to take a look at it. You’ll find some interesting statistics about your college, learn more about our services
and you’ll discover the plans MSJC has to make sure you receive a quality education that will help you achieve your goals.