Mississippi College Awaits Reaffirmation Decision in December

Mississippi College leaders have worked hard in recent years to seek reaffirmation of the university’s accreditation.

At the annual meeting of the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges in Dallas December 8-11, MC administrators will find out if SACS officials will approve.

The ultimate goal of receiving the reaffirmation of the regional accreditation agency “makes the university accountable for giving its students the best education possible,” says Ron Howard, MC vice president for academic affairs.

The Georgia-based agency accredits more than 13,000 public and private educational institutions in the South.

The reaffirmation review touched on all areas of the Christian university – from academic programs to administrative and student support. “Regional accreditation is vital for today’s universities,” says Debbie Norris, Mississippi College’s vice president for assessment and planning.

A successful reaffirmation process means that university students will continue to receive federal financial aid and permits school transcripts to offer transferrable coursework. It serves to give Mississippi College diplomas “legitimacy among employers,” says Norris, the graduate school dean who guided the university’s reaffirmation efforts.

Mississippi College first gained accreditation from SACS in 1922.

Peer evaluators reviewed Mississippi College’s paperwork and provided feedback. A team of national higher education administrators and professors conducted a reaffirmation site visit on the Clinton campus April 17-19. It was a key component of the process.

So was MC’s Quality Enhancement Plan that is focused on strengthening student research, critical thinking, problem solving and writing skills over the next five years.

MC faculty, staff, students, alumni and trustees pitched in during the reaffirmation effort.

Leaders at SACS and the agency’s Commission on Colleges examine institutions regarding accreditation every ten years.