Gateway Community College (GCC) is pleased to announce that, after a comprehensive self-study and extensive evaluation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education has continued the college’s accreditation.

In a December 5 letter to GCC President, Dorsey L. Kendrick, the Commission commended the college for its work in increasing retention and graduation rates, citing the college’s student services, advising, disabilities and transfer services and co-curricular activities that “foster opportunities for students’ personal development and growth,” as strengths. Also noted among the college’s strengths were New Student Advising and Registration (NSAR), the Mentoring Program, extensive tutoring options and Male Involvement programs.
 

The Commission continued GCC’s accreditation “because the Commission finds the institution to be substantially in compliance with the Standards of Accreditation,” commending the college for “Its candid and well-written self-study that reflects broad participation by the campus community and ‘pillars’ that anchor GCC in ‘credentialing student success and inclusion, and economic and workforce development.”  Continued progress was suggested toward the development of a new strategic plan with measurable outcomes, broader (college-wide) approach to assessment of learning and program reviews, continued work in the areas of retention and graduation, and the pursuit of sufficient human, technological and physical resources (budget) to support student success.

The college was applauded for its clear mission and “motivated, caring and highly qualified” faculty and staff who impressed the Commission with their “commitment to build on its strengths and address institutional challenges.”  The Commission noted that Gateway Community College is “well positioned to continue the momentum it has gained over the last decade,” citing the 45.6% increase in student population along with the impact made by the new campus which opened in 2012.

GCC was also commended for demonstrating “high resilience in the face of a long-standing structural deficit” in its budget, while taking favorable note of the college’s “commitment to its financial management and its efforts to build capacity,” with the caveat of seeking further evidence of “the success of GCC’s efforts to assure the sufficiency of human, technological, and physical resources to support student success,” in the follow-up report which will be submitted to the Commission in 2018.

Suggested areas for continued progress include the development of a new strategic plan with measurable outcomes, broader (college-wide) approach to assessment of learning and program reviews, continued work in the areas of retention and graduation, and the pursuit of sufficient human, technological and physical resources (budget) to support student success.

“I am proud of the work that went into the self-study process,” said GCC President, Dorsey L. Kendrick.  “The college community worked hard to make an honest assessment of our strengths and challenges, and we are grateful for the Commission’s findings and recommendations as we continue to strive toward providing the very best for our students and our community.”

The reaccreditation granted for an indefinite term, as accreditation is considered a “continuing relationship” subject to reevaluation as needed.  The next comprehensive re-evaluation is scheduled for 2026 with updates in 2018 and 2021.