RCC's Accreditation Reaffirmed

Riverside City College was notified last week that the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), acted at their January meeting to reaffirm the College’s accreditation for the remainder of the cycle. The next comprehensive review cycle begins in 2026.
 
Accreditation Faculty Co-Chair, professor Jacquie Lesch, College Accreditation Liaison Officer Kristine Di Memmo, and President Gregory Anderson attended the Winter ACCJC meeting on January 13. Commissioners received the College's presentation and asked thoughtful, supportive questions.

The Follow-up Report addressed compliance issues surrounding the College’s evaluation processes to meet Standard III.A.5. Beginning in July 2020, the College reviewed the status of evaluations for all classes of employees and assessed the employee evaluation process. The College identified gaps and opportunities to improve the established process and ensure compliance with the Standard.
 
RCC conducted a self-evaluation in 2019 followed by a peer review team visit in Spring 2020. ACCJC reaffirmed the College’s accreditation for 18 months and required a follow-up report, which was submitted in October 2021, and a peer review site visit in November 2021. The next report due from the College will be a Midterm Report in March 2024.
 
The site visit team wrote in the report, “On behalf of the Commission, we wish to express appreciation for the diligent work and thoughtful reflection that Riverside City College undertook to respond to these requirements. These efforts confirm that peer review can serve well the multiple constituencies of higher education by both ensuring and encouraging institutional quality and effectiveness.”