Seth Root/The Broadside
The Northwest Colleges and Universities have reaffirmed Central Oregon Community College’s accreditation for the next seven years.
Due to COVID-19, the NWCCU had to conduct a virtual visit to the college last spring. The virtual visit took place in April. Just a couple weeks before the Spring term ended for college students.
Despite visiting the college virtually, it did not negatively impact the college getting accredited. The NWCCU commended the college for creating a friendly climate, for its use of technology in student’s success and for the college’s high level of engagement from students, staff, and faculty during the pandemic.
“The Commission commends Central Oregon Community College for:
1. The board, faculty, staff, and administrators creating an organizational climate that fosters optimism, collegiality, transparency, and inclusiveness. 2. Strategic use of technology to enhance communications, transparency, institutional effectiveness, and student success. 3.The students, faculty, staff, and administrators for their high level of engagement and graciousness during a pandemic.”
The NCWCC also recommended that the college improve in specific areas such as publishing the college’s loan default rate, regularly and systematically evaluate administrators and refine its practices in creating an effective system in assessing student learning outcomes.
Laurie Chesley, President of COCC, expressed satisfaction that the NCWCC has renewed its accreditation for the next seven years.
“Our virtual site visit came during an unprecedented time last April, but our entire college community rallied and successfully showed our evaluators the great work we do here,” she said. “I could not be more proud of all of our faculty and staff.”
