| NCA awards MCC 10-year accreditation
Ashley Mendivil
Mesa Legend
On March 7, a team of consultant-evaluators representing the Higher Learning Commission visited MCC, staying for two days. The team, known as the North Central Association, is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States. The NCA is designed to ensure quality and improvement for higher learning institutions, and hands out accreditations for a maximum of ten years. These accreditations help to ensure that MCC receives financial aid, and that credits earned here will transfer to universities like ASU and BYU.
Before the NCA visited, MCC faculty and staff created committees to do a two-year self-study on the school, as well as the faculty as a whole. The self-study consisted of determining whether the school was basing its curriculum on the mission statement, and how the future looks for the school.
“The NCA didn’t come to look at what MCC did in the past, but what the future holds for MCC,” Institute Advancement Assistant Heather Miles said. “They also look for community values that shape MCC.”
Gail Mee, vice president of Academic Affairs, worked with other faculty members on the self-study. Mee said, “The accrediting agency asks us to do a self study to make sure we are doing what we’re supposed to be doing, and staying true to our mission.”
The NCA was composed of faculty from institutions across the country. The team was able to meet with a variety of people, including staff, students, and non-student residents near the school, making sure the school maintains service and engagement with the community.
“The NCA was highly complimentary of MCC,” Mee said. “They held an exit interview March 9, and recommended to the Higher Learning Commission that MCC be accredited for ten years.”
With the ten-year accreditation, MCC will not have to be evaluated by the Higher Learning Commission until that time expires, which is scheduled for the 2014-2015 school year.
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