LCC is reaffirmed for accreditation by SACS

Every facet of Laredo Community College, including its courses, degrees and services, has again met the rigorous standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which has granted LCC full reaffirmation for accreditation for another 10-year period.

As a nationally accredited institution, LCC guarantees current and future students, that in addition to its affordable tuition, they can expect their courses to meet the same quality standards as those offered by colleges and universities throughout the state and nation.

In a letter to LCC President Juan L. Maldonado, SACS accepted a series of reports prepared by the college as part of the reaffirmation process and informed him that LCC was fully reaffirmed for accreditation through the year 2020.

"Laredo Community College is extremely proud and pleased to receive reaffirmation without any conditions from SACS," Maldonado said. "This accomplishment is a testament to the excellence of our institution, its students and its personnel."

LCC boasts a long and distinguished history of being accredited by SACS since 1957. Member institutions must seek reaffirmation for accreditation every 10 years.

Maldonado explained that the reaffirmation process took about 18 months to complete. In addition to the reports submitted to SACS for review and approval, LCC received an official site visit by a review team as part of the process.

"The process was detailed, comprehensive and intensive research focusing on what LCC is doing and how well it meets the standards for accreditation set by SACS, as well as how LCC meets its mission and goals as a community college," Maldonado said.

He added that the achievement could have not have been realized without the full cooperation of the campus body and community.

"The process to getting reaffirmed was really a special collaboration involving every single unit of LCC. We received valuable input and assistance from a great number of personnel representing the entire spectrum of the college community, the board of trustees and the community at large," Maldonado noted.

Maldonado added that institutional effectiveness is an area that needed to be addressed by the college.

"LCC has developed the necessary strategy by adding personnel and funding to make sure that institutional effectiveness is being addressed at LCC," Maldonado said.

LCC will submit one-year and five-year follow-up reports as part of the new reaffirmation process set by SACS.

Accreditation is an integral component for any higher education institution because it provides college students with a smooth transition to other higher education institutions or professional practice.

"As institutions of higher education, it is imperative to preserve their accreditation status. Students who go to an accredited college or university can easily transfer their credits within the state or out of the state knowing that their transcripts reflect standards and quality that are met by that institution and its students," Maldonado said.

Established in 1895 in Atlanta, SACS is a private, non-profit, voluntary organization which accredits more than 12,000 public and private educational institutions, from pre-kindergarten to university level, in 11 states of the Southeastern U.S. and Latin America.

The Association's Commission on Colleges develops standards for, and accredits post-secondary degree-granting institutions.