The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has reaffirmed Palm Beach State College’s accreditation for an additional 10 years.
The SACSCOC Board of Trustees voted to approve the reaffirmation at its recent meeting. The decision followed an extensive process that included a virtual site visit in October 2021 by a SACSCOC on-site committee of higher education experts and leaders. During the two-day visit, the committee held more than 35 interviews with individuals and groups across PBSC to review the College’s programs, policies, and processes.
The SACSCOC reviewed institutional integrity, curriculum, facilities, faculty, student services, budgets and financial aid to see how it measured up to their 84 standards covering mission, educational programs, faculty, governing board, student achievement, academic services, administration, institutional planning and financial resources. The on-site team found that PBSC is 100% in compliance with all SACSCOC standards.
PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., said the reaffirmation exemplifies the College’s longstanding tradition as a leading institution of higher education in Palm Beach County. “This reaffirmation of accreditation is the result of the commitment of our faculty and staff to teaching and learning excellence and PBSC’s mission of transforming lives and strengthening our community,” Parker said.
“We are excited that Palm Beach State College has successfully completed the decennial reaffirmation process,” said Dr. Roger Yohe, vice president of Academic Innovation and Strategy. “Completing the final stages of the review during a pandemic was challenging, but our College SACSCOC team did an outstanding job of guiding us through this process. I want to express my appreciation to everyone who contributed to our successful review.”
The SACSCOC also approved PBSC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which will be implemented in the next five years. The focus of the QEP will be to connect students to College resources, faculty and staff, and their peers using Academic Community events to increase student engagement and retention.
Palm Beach State College has maintained accreditation with SACSCOC since 1942 and will mark its 90th anniversary in 2023.