Elizabeth City, NC – College of The Albemarle (COA) is proud to announce that it has successfully received reaccreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This reaffirmation of accreditation, required every ten years, emphasizes COA’s commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement.
The reaccreditation process involves three critical stages:
- Off-Site Review: Completed in April 2023, COA had only three citations for noncompliance that required further explanation to verify compliance. According to the most recent data, an institution’s average number of citations is 12.4, placing COA well below this average.
- On-Site Review: Conducted in October 2023, the committee found zero compliance issues at COA’s campuses.
- Final Decision: On June 13, 2024, the SACSCOC Board of Trustees reaffirmed COA’s accreditation without requiring any follow-up or monitoring reports.
The college’s accreditation liaison is Dr. Dean Roughton, COA’s Vice President of Institutional Research, Planning, Effectiveness, and Technology. According to Dr. Roughton, “Our strong results during this review are evidence that continuous improvement processes are embedded in the organizational culture at COA and are not just something that gets attended to periodically for reports. The college’s employees are invested in producing quality work that leads to student success.”
Dr. Jack Bagwell, President of College of The Albemarle, added, “This reaffirmation from SACSCOC is a testament to our faculty and staff’s hard work and dedication. It reflects our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and ensuring student success. We are proud of this achievement and will continue striving for excellence in everything we do.”
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the recognized regional accrediting body for institutions of higher education in the Southern states. SACSCOC’s mission is to assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions.
For information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2420 or [email protected].