SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 8, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The San José – Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) learned this week that both of its Colleges, San José City College (SJCC) and Evergreen Valley College (EVC) received reaffirmation of their accreditation status for 18 months based on a comprehensive evaluation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). “Reaffirmation for 18 months indicates that the Commission has determined that the institution is in substantial compliance with Standards,” letters from ACCJC to the College presidents read.

Both EVC and SJCC completed accreditation site visits in October, during which time teams of evaluators from ACCJC spent multiple days on the campuses analyzing data and reviewing reports and operations at the Colleges and District.

“The accreditation process is vital to the ongoing improvement of our Colleges and we are grateful for ACCJC’s work in ensuring that we continue to meet their high standards for institutional effectiveness,” said Dr. Deborah Budd, SJECCD chancellor. “The fact that both Colleges have had their accreditation reaffirmed reflects the hard work taking place on our campuses, our commitment to continuous improvement, and the dedication of our faculty and staff to serving students.”

The visiting teams noted numerous commendations at each College and the District, including diverse services designed to engage the student population; a focus on equitable access; cultivation of a welcoming environment and an inclusive campus culture; well-developed and documented basic skills and student equity programs; innovative cross-disciplinary and contextualized curriculum; a notable “esprit de corps” and commitment to serving students; and efforts to improve campus safety, security, and emergency preparedness.

“Our accreditation is critical to ensuring that our students and the public are aware that the quality of our instruction and student support services have been recognized as meeting the very high standards set by ACCJC,” said EVC President Henry Yong. “The fact that the evaluation process is peer-led confirms that community college educators and administrators from throughout the region have recognized the value of a degree or certificate from EVC.”

While the accreditation process was time-consuming and required many resources at both Colleges, SJCC President Byron D. Clift Breland indicated that it was very much a team effort that involved all constituency groups at the College. “Having our accreditation reaffirmed is a great achievement and I am proud of our faculty, staff, and students for their efforts in making San Jose City College a great institution of higher learning,” Dr. Clift Breland said. “It’s important that we always work to improve upon and adapt the programs and services of the College to meet the needs of today's learner as well as the education and job training requirements of the new economy.”
The Colleges will provide additional information and evidence of changes made since the accreditation team visits last October in a follow-up report to ACCJC in spring 2018.

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About San José – Evergreen Community College District
Located in vibrant downtown San José in Silicon Valley, the San José – Evergreen Community College District encompasses more than 300 square miles, including a large portion of the City of San José and all of the City of Milpitas. The District includes the areas served by Milpitas and San José Unified School Districts, together with East Side Union High School District. The District is comprised of two colleges: Evergreen Valley College, established in 1975; and San José City College, established in 1921; and the Workforce Institute, established in 1988. For more information, visit www.sjeccd.edu.

Ryan Brown
SJECCD
541-591-3352
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