MiraCosta College Accreditation Reaffirmed; College Recognized for Quality Education

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges has recognized the quality education MiraCosta College offers its students by reaffirming the college’s accreditation. The decision concluded a review process that included an extensive report of institutional progress written by MiraCosta administrators, faculty and staff; a March campus visit by a team of peer evaluators representing ACCJC; and consideration by the commission at its June meeting. 

“Community colleges are held to high standards of student success and institutional performance, and being accredited is an integral part of assuring quality to the public,” says MiraCosta Board of Trustees President Gloria Carranza. “We are pleased that the accrediting commission recognizes the hard work and diligence of our administration, faculty and staff in providing the highest quality education for our students, all while being responsive to the community’s needs and good stewards of the public’s trust.” 

The commission’s action removes the sanction that was placed on the college in summer 2011, after the commission found that the college’s March 2011 Follow-Up Report did not provide sufficient evidence that the college had resolved deficiencies relating to institutional decision-making. This sanction followed the June 2010 full reaffirmation of accreditation, during which time the commission asked the college to prepare two follow-up reports and respond to four recommendations. While on sanction, MiraCosta College remained fully accredited. 

“Last year, the college welcomed the commission’s recommendations as an opportunity to improve, and through widespread campus dialogue, created the infrastructure necessary for sustained and continuous quality improvement,” says Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, MiraCosta College Superintendent/President. “The entire college community—from the Board of Trustees to faculty, staff, students and administrators—responded to the accreditation’s call to action with clear focus and intent. As a result of the accreditation process and the ensuing self-reflection and collaboration, positive growth and change have occurred at MiraCosta College. The changes and improvements we have made are consistent with excellent educational practice, and evidence of the commitment we have to this college, students and community. Today, we are a stronger, more responsive institution and are better positioned for the future.”

MiraCosta College’s report fully addressed all Commission recommendations. The results for each recommendation are summarized below, and the college’s full report to the Commission can be read at www.miracosta.edu/accreditation:

• Recommendation 1 (institutional planning): Integrated institutional planning has been fully implemented. 

• Recommendation 2 (Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and SLO assessment): Student learning outcomes and assessment are ongoing, systematic and used for continuous quality improvement. 

• Recommendation 3 (inclusion of SLOs as part of the faculty evaluation process): Participation in student learning outcomes and assessment is a stated component in the evaluation process for faculty and others at MiraCosta College. 

• Recommendation 4 (evaluation of the governance model):  The governance structure is evaluated in an ongoing, pervasive, systematic process with results guiding change for improved institutional effectiveness.

Upon completion of its March 2012 visit to the college, the Commission’s evaluation team commended the college in several ways. The team was very impressed with the preparation, organization, and clarity of materials presented, and commended the collegial spirit and positive attitude of those interviewed and of the campus community. They described the campus culture as welcoming and inclusive. The team also recognized the clear and consistent demonstration of the college’s institutional pride. The team acknowledged the campus community as being well informed and taking ownership of the changes and improvements, while retaining a sense of its core values and mission. Because of what they observed, the team is confident that the changes and improvements have been embraced as part of our institutional culture and are encouraging the campus to continue its progress towards progress and change.

“MiraCosta College has a long and proud history of serving the coastal North San Diego County community well. Receiving full reaffirmation is a college-wide achievement that recognizes the outstanding quality of this institution,” says Dr. Rodriguez. As required by the Accrediting Commission, the college will now file its regularly-scheduled Midterm Report in March, 2013.

Accreditation is a voluntary self-regulation that is the primary means by which colleges in the United States assure and improve quality in education. Students attending accredited campuses receive federal financial aid and. To read the full evaluation report, or for more information about accreditation, visit www.miracosta.edu/accreditation. For additional information, contact Dr. Rodriguez at 760.795.6610 or Dean Bob Pacheco, district accreditation liaison officer, at 760.795.6846.