Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities NWCCU

Southwestern is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, a nationally recognized regional accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education. It is the oldest and best known seal of high education quality.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has officially reaffirmed Southwestern Oregon Community College’s accreditation following a full review in 2002, again during the Fifth Year Interim Visit in Spring of 2007, and most recently following the Year One Report submitted in March 2011. Copies of the college’s accreditation, self-study reports, approvals, and certifications are available for review by contacting the Accreditation Liaison Officer. NWCCU Accreditation status is granted as an institution; any specialized program accreditation or approvals are granted by other agencies.

Accreditation Steering Committee

The 2010-2012 Accreditation Steering Committee is made up of staff and faculty from all employee groups. This planning body meets twice each month to collect, organize, and disseminate information to all campus departments related to Accreditation reporting. The current membership includes:

• Patty Scott - President and Core Theme Leader: Community Engagement
• Linda Kridelbaugh - Accreditation Coordinating Team and Core Theme Leader: Innovation and Sustainability
• Kat Flores - Core Theme Leader: Innovation and Sustainability
• Tom Nicholls - Core Theme Leader: Access
• Diana Schab - Core Theme Leader: Learning and Achievement
• Robin Bunnell - ALO and Accreditation Coordinating Team 
• Marcia Jensen - Board Representative 
• Phill Anderson
• Cheryl Davies
• Jeremy Jones
• Renee Menkens
• Rachelle Summerville
• Marta Wozniak
• Anna Chavez - Administrative Support

Past Members:

• Valerie Martinez - Accreditation Coordinating Team and Core Theme Leader: Learning and Achievement (2010-2011)
• Sharon Smith - Accreditation Coordinating Team and ALO (2010-2011)

Accreditation Committee Meeting Schedule
Accreditation Committee Minutes
Accreditation FAQs Sheet