NWCCU reaffirms Green River College’s accreditation
By Philip Denman, August 6, 2020
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has reaffirmed the regional accreditation of Green River College through 2027.
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) President Sonny Ramaswamy communicated the news to Green River College President Suzanne M. Johnson in a July 22 letter. The decision to reaffirm accreditation followed NWCCU consideration of the evidence the college presented during the past year in support of accreditation, including its year seven self-evaluation report, the year seven peer-evaluation report, and a comprehensive site visit conducted by a team of NWCCU evaluators on April 29-May 1, 2020.
“Accreditation both confirms and validates college’s commitment to quality, accountability, and integrity and provides helpful feedback and recommendations to assist the college for continuous improvement,” GRC President Suzanne M. Johnson said. “Green River College has much to be proud of and celebrate!”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team of NWCCU evaluators conducted their site visit through Zoom technology, a review of the self-study report, and an analysis of associated online exhibits. GRC employees made themselves readily available across the multi-day virtual visit to participate in individual and group sessions, and two board members met with evaluation team representatives.
President Johnson also expressed great appreciation to faculty and staff across GRC that contributed to the reaccreditation process. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to all who work at this college and to all who enroll at the college. Green River College is an exceptional choice for post-secondary education providing high quality and affordable education that provides pathways to opportunity for a lifetime.”
Commendations
The NWCCU commended Green River for its accomplishments in the following areas:
- The Evaluation Team commends Green River College leadership, especially the president, for establishing a positive campus culture that reflects effective communication, transparency, access to decision-makers, and genuine constituent engagement.
- The Evaluation Team commends GRC for their proactive campus preparation that aided the college in responding to the COVID-19 emergency. Of special note is the dedication of all employee in exhibiting care and concern for individuals (students, employees, and community members), as well as services, impacted.
- The Evaluation Team commends IT leadership and staff for the development of a strong technology infrastructure that increases critical connectivity and computer support for students, employees, and the community. Specific examples of this strength include My Green River, the employee access portal, and support for faculty and staff now engaged in on-line teaching and support service provision.
- The Evaluation Team commends GRC faculty and student services staff for the establishment of a comprehensive transitional studies model that effectively contributes to an increase in student retention and completion, especially for traditionally disadvantages students.
- The Evaluation Team commends GRC for a strong commitment to and funding of professional development and innovation that contributes to enhanced institutional creativity and strengthens opportunities for the college and its students.
- The Evaluation Team commends the Holman Library faculty and staff for their extensive program of information literacy, robust provision of technology support, and for consistently promoting and maintaining a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for student learning and engagement.
Recommendations
The NWCCU also recommended Green River improve in two areas:
- The Evaluation Team recommends the college work to demonstrate and document an effective and widely understood system of governance with clearly defined authority, roles, and responsibilities.
- The evaluation team recommends that the College move to fully implement an effective and comprehensive system of direct and authentic assessment that appraises student accomplishment of existing course, program, and college-wide learning outcomes from which are derived meaningful results that provide clear direction for curricular and instructional improvement.
About NWCCU
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is one of seven regional organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit postsecondary institutions within the United States.
It is incorporated as a legally established, private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation for the expressed purpose of accrediting higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Membership and organization of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is set forth in its Bylaws.
NWCCU is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authority on the educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The Commission also recognizes higher education institutions internationally, including Canada. NWCCU is also recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The Commission oversees regional accreditation for 162 institutions. Its decision-making body consists of up to twenty-six Commissioners who represent the public and the diversity of higher education institutions within the Northwest region.
