We did it! Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) has once again received a resounding stamp of approval from the Higher Learning Commission.
The Higher Learning Commission, or HLC, reaffirmed EMCC’s accreditation on Jan. 10. The reaffirmation comes after a 10-year accreditation cycle, which requires institutions to submit annual Institutional Updates, complete an Assurance Review, design and undertake a Quality Initiative project, and undergo a comprehensive evaluation.
“It’s a lot of work,” EMCC President Dr. Rey Rivera said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our amazing faculty and staff for enthusiastically stepping up to the plate and knocking it out of the park once again.”
The HLC was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit degree-granting colleges and universities. Accreditation is required for colleges and universities to offer federal financial aid to students, receive federal grants, and enable students to transfer credits between accredited institutions.
The HLC’s Peer Review team visited EMCC last October as part of the comprehensive evaluation, the final step in the 10-year process. The team reported back that it found EMCC to be “part of the fabric of the community,” “very responsive,” and “benefiting everyone in the West Valley.” The team — five peer reviewers from colleges within the HLC — also reported that EMCC demonstrates an approach to strategic planning that engages the entire campus, makes data-driven decisions, is engaged with the community, and genuinely cares about the college and its students.
“The team applauds the perseverance of faculty and staff to continue to provide an enriched learning experience and hopes the school can make strides in its goals to grow and serve,” the team wrote in its final report.
The team found that EMCC’s student assessment processes and methods reflect good practice, that despite budget constraints, EMCC has leveraged partnerships and grant funding to maintain high-quality student services and educational opportunities, and that EMCC embraces the diversity of a multicultural student body.
“People always say that our campus is beautiful, and it is, but what makes it so spectacular, so vibrant, so stunning is our diverse student body, our deep respect for one another, and the way we choose to embrace and celebrate our various cultures,” Dr. Rivera said. “That’s where the real beauty comes from.”
EMCC has been accredited by the HLC since 1992 when it opened as a satellite campus for Glendale Community College (GCC) and shared accreditation. The West Valley college became a stand-alone, separately accredited institution in 1997.