Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) recently passed the first step in its comprehensive reaccreditation process with flying colors. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which accredits community colleges in Alabama and the south, gave the college a perfect score after an on-campus visit regarding SACSCOC compliance standards and the college’s proposed quality enhancement plan on online learning and instruction. 

“This is what we aim for,” stated NACC President Dr. David Campbell. “We want to be the best we can possibly be in everything we do at Northeast. I am so proud of our faculty, staff, students, and our community for achieving this standard.

SACSCOC conducts a major assessment of colleges belonging to its membership, making certain each college meets accreditation criteria. This includes a detailed examination of the college from its mission, governing board, curriculum, educational standards, finances, student services, effectiveness, management and planning, professional credentials of faculty and administrators, professional development opportunities, student services, financial aid, scholarships, library and learning resources, off-campus sites, dual enrollment programs, internet policies, instruction, sports regulations, partnerships, to off-campus sites at centers and high schools.   

Northeast, like other colleges in SACSCOC, submitted an extensive report with evidence and documentation of how the college is in compliance with each of these criteria prior to the committee’s on-campus visit. The report was reviewed by SACSCOC representatives. Then, a designated SACSCOC committee spent five days on campus evaluating the college based on these standards. The committee consisted of nine members from six southern states and a SACSCOC official. 

College leaders, faculty members, staff, community members, and board members were interviewed by the committee. While on campus, the committee also examined documents related to the college’s operation.

At the conclusion of the visit, the committee gave no recommendations or finding to NACC. The lack of findings after an on-site visit is extremely rare for a college. In addition to the exceptional report that the college obtained, the visiting committee also complimented college personnel and students for their hospitality, support, and cooperation while they were on campus. This initial report is set be finalized and made official when the SACSCOC commission meets in 2025. 

The visiting committee had no findings for the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) as well. The QEP is developed by faculty and staff proposing a specific way that student learning might be improved. This QEP is tailored to improvements for online teaching and instruction. The visiting committee exchanged ideas with Northeast personnel and made suggestions on how the Northeast plan might be improved and expanded. This plan will be developed at the college over the next five years and evaluated by SACSCOC at that point to determine how well it has worked and is working. 

“I can’t say enough about how an outstanding report the college got,” stated Dr. Campbell. “Our personnel worked so hard on this and demonstrated what talented people they are. We are certainly proud to represent our community in this way and be able to show what a great community college that have right here in their area.” Campbell added that as further evidence of the quality of the college, the Aspen Institute has identified NACC as one of the top community colleges in America six times in their biannually reviews. 

Campbell noted that an achievement like this takes the contributions of everyone, but that he in particular wanted to acknowledge the work of Olivia Dodd, who serves as the NACC SACSCOC Liaison Director and led the SACSCOC Reaffirmation Executive Committee.  She and Mrs. Barbara Kilgore, Associate Dean of Instruction at NACC, led the development of the QEP along with Dr. Scott Bynum, the director of the college’s science division, and Mrs. Kelly DeAngelis, Advanced Design and Manufacturing instructor. Chasley Brown, NACC’s Event Planner, organized and conducted hospitality and arrangements for the visiting committee on and off campus. 

NACC’s SACSCOC and QEP Leadership Team:

• Dr. David Campbell, President of Northeast Alabama Community College
• Olivia Dodd, Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment/SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison: Cochairman
• Barbara Kilgore, Associate Dean of Instruction
• Chad Gorham, Dean of Instruction
• Jeff Hawes, Dean of Student Services
• Kerry Wright, Dean of Workforce Development
• Joan Reeves, English Instructor and Director of Student Activities
• Dr. Scott Byrum, Chemistry Instructor and Natural Sciences Division Chair, QEP Co-Chair
• Kelly DeAngelis, Advanced Design and Manufacturing Instructor, QEP Co-Chair