Accreditation

Southwestern Oregon Community College is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that the college meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process.

An accredited college or university is one that has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation

Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial. It applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond Washington, WA 98052
425-558-4224

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is a nationally recognized regional accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education.

Copies of the college’s accredited status, self-study reports, approvals, and certifications are available for review by contacting the Accreditation Liaison Officer or requesting to review copies of reports which have been made available at the Library (not all reports are available at the Library at this time), located in Tioga Hall or posted in the Institutional Report Archives.

NWCCU Accreditation status is granted as an institution; any accredited specialized program or approvals are granted by other agencies.

Mission Fulfillment

Southwestern Oregon Community College is committed to its mission of fulfilling “the educational and cultural needs of our diverse communities by providing equitable access to exceptional teaching and learning in a collaborative, engaging, sustainable environment, which supports innovation, lifelong enrichment, and contribution to a global society.”

We set out on a pathway to achieve our mission through development of a strategic plan. In its 2020-27 Strategic Plan, the college has adopted strategic priorities with measurable objectives. In particular, the college is focusing on achieving success in two key areas: Enrollment and Student Success. The following data represents the college’s measurement in those areas showing trending and peer comparison.

Enrollment Summary

Current Status and Contact Information

Southwestern’s regional accreditation by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) was reaffirmed during the June 2020 commission meeting. Southwestern is to submit a regularly scheduled evaluation report as part of the Mid-Cycle Review Spring 2023.

Institutional Accreditation Contact:

Dr. Ali Mageehon, Accreditation Liaison Officer
Vice President Instruction
1988 Newmark
Coos Bay OR 97420
541-888-7417