Presbyterian College’s accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) at its annual meeting this week in Dallas, Texas.  The reaffirmed full accreditation for Presbyterian College continues for a 10-year period through 2027.

SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of most degree-granting higher education institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. Its mission is to assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions.

In undergoing the reaffirmation of accreditation process that occurs every ten years, PC was required to review and demonstrate compliance with nearly 100 requirements and standards established by SACSCOC, and PC was also required to identify a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to engage in continuous improvement on campus. Faculty, staff, trustees, students, and alumni participated in both the review of standards and the development of the QEP.

The College’s Quality Enhancement Plan, Life Beyond PC: Inquire, Decide, Engage, Achieve, is designed to enrich the student learning experience by providing highly focused opportunities to develop problem-solving skills. This five-year program, in its pilot stages now with full launch in August 2018, integrates academic and vocational analysis via a revised first-year exploration course, a new second-year exploration course, and a signature work for graduating students. The QEP will be directed by Dr. Sharon Knight, associate professor of Spanish, under the supervision of Dr. Alicia Askew, dean of academic programs.

The work to demonstrate accreditation with SACSCOC standards is an ongoing process, and the reaffirmation cycle included both a compliance certification by PC in September 2016 and a focused report in February 2017. These documents were developed by many individuals and institutional committees and were subject to a vetting process and revision by the SACSCOC Steering Committee and the PC SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison. PC also received both an off-site review by SACSCOC accreditors in November 2016 and an on-site campus visit by SACSCOC accreditors in March 2017.

According to Bob Staton, president of PC, “This is a great affirmation by our accrediting body of the quality of our academic programs and the overall condition of PC. I want to thank the many people who have given tirelessly of their time and talents over a number of years to enable us to attain this outstanding result.” Don Raber, PC’s provost, added, “At a time where higher education is under scrutiny across the country, it is essential for institutions to demonstrate their commitment to effectiveness in what they do and to continually improving how they deliver on their missions. This reaffirmation by SACSCOC highlights that commitment across our faculty, staff, and campus leadership, and I am delighted by the work done by everyone to achieve this significant milestone for PC.”

Presbyterian College is located on a 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom.  The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.