Chapter 8 Summary and Request for Continued Accreditation
This report has documented a participatory self-study process through which the College examined and confirmed that St. Clair County Community College meets the Commission’s criteria for accreditation. Much has been learned; there is much to do.
There were both benefits and challenges inherent in taking a thematic approach to the Self-Study. The benefits of the thematic approach included:
- Using the Self-Study process to assess strategic goals and plan for the future
- Having the opportunity to be more introspective and take a less rote approach to the criteria for accreditation
- Having a more rewarding and productive engagement with the criteria
- Providing better opportunities for a broad spectrum of the College community to become involved in the process
- Not being limited strictly to the criteria for accreditation
Of course, there were also challenges and they included the following:
- It was more difficult to organize both the thematic self-study process and report
- The meaning and application of themes had to be learned and debated before they could be applied
- There was uncertainty as to which committee should cover which core component
- There was concern over duplication as core components were reviewed through the four cross-cutting lenses
- More time was consumed than anticipated by taking the cross-cutting approach
Despite the challenges faced, the Self-Study resulted in a global assessment of the College, and provides a tool for the future precisely because the College examined itself purposefully, strategically, and discretely as a learning-focused, distinctive, connected, and future-oriented organization. The College’s strategic plan inspired the design of the self-study, and the learning outcomes of the process and this report will organically inform the plan. The College is confident it is meeting and will continue to meet the expectations of the Higher Learning Commission as it works to meet the expectations of its students and its diverse constituents.
The College respectfully requests affirmation from and continued accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Top
