The site visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), concluded on Oct. 12. SACSCOC is the college’s accrediting body. It is also the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.
SACSCOC accreditation means that the institution shows dedication and provides quality higher education. The institution also shows ongoing improvement through planning, assessment, and quality enhancement. The “reaffirmation” period for accredited colleges is held every 10 years.
During their week at SPC, the SACSCOC team visited five campuses. They met with students, faculty and staff, and held 30-plus interviews with various groups. All of this helped them learn more about the college’s programs, policies and processes.
In a final debrief meeting, site visit members lauded the college’s commitment to students.
Site visit Chair Patty G. Amick congratulated the college for its student-first practices.
“You have much to be proud of here at SPC,” Amick said. “We really know there is genuineness in everything you do.”
Sabrina Crawford, Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, who led the reaffirmation process. She stated she was “so thankful” to have worked with such a committed group of faculty, staff, and students for the past two-plus years to prepare for the reaffirmation review.
“This was an amazing group effort, with people putting in countless hours to share the college’s story and create a quality enhancement plan that would really help our students,” Crawford said. “Our excellent review is a testament to their efforts, support, and caring. As the committee chair stated in the exit conference, the caring and enjoyment of working at SPC is not something you can fake and we saw it on every campus and with every person we spoke to.”
The visiting team also complimented SPC on the strategy and details of its proactive Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), entitled “Ready, Set, Succeed!”
Dr. Karen Huxtable-Jester, who served as the lead evaluator for the college’s QEP, said it was obvious during her time spent with students “how supported students feel in achieving their goals.”
“You make a tremendous difference to them,” Huxtable-Jester said.
SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams thanked all of the college staff who helped this week and throughout the reaffirmation review and the SACSCOC team.
“You have been awesome. You have been open and honest and helpful and I appreciate it,” Williams said.