St. Charles Community College Receives 10-Year Re-Accreditation Approval

Published: 04/04/2012

SCC achieved the highest level of accreditation approval, with its next comprehensive evaluation scheduled for the 2021-22 academic year. “This is a great accomplishment for the college,” said SCC President Ronald Chesbrough. “The Commission’s report validates what we already know – St. Charles Community College is an exceptional institution of higher education with a dedicated faculty and staff who keep student success at the center of our mission.”

The accreditation approval also included the approval to expand its distance education up to 100% of degree programs.

SCC started preparing for its Self-Study process in 2009, which is an exhaustive internal review of all programs, services, and initiatives relative to its mission of providing quality and innovative higher education to St. Charles Community College district encompassing all but a small portion of St. Charles County and its extended service area including Lincoln, Pike, Montgomery and Callaway counties. The Self-Study examined and reported on five criteria:

1. Mission and integrity
2. Preparing for the future
3. Student learning and effective teaching
4. Acquisition, discovery and application of knowledge
5. Engagement and service

This is the fourth accreditation process completed by St. Charles Community College, which began offering classes in June 1987 and is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary. More information about the study can be found at www.stchas.edu/selfstudy

The HLC is a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which is one of six regional accreditation bodies in the United States, and is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a regional accreditor for higher education institutions.

Member schools are required to undertake a self-study process with the purpose of providing assurance to the public, in particular to prospective students, that the institution has been found to meet the agency’s clearly stated requirements and is fulfilling its mission.

Established in 1986, St. Charles Community College is celebrating 25 years as a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.