Coker College Receives 10 Year Accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
January 27, 2016
Coker College has received its 10-year accreditation with no follow up required from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The reaffirmation process focuses on continuous improvement and is designed to ensure educational quality.
“The commission has six core values that I believe are in line with Coker College’s own values: integrity, self-regulation, student learning, accountability, continuous quality improvement and transparency,” said Coker College President Robert Wyatt. “Earning our 10-year accreditation is a tremendous compliment to our faculty, staff and students and a positive reflection of the work we’re doing on and off campus.”
The SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in eleven Southern states. Member institutions are reaffirmed every 10 years after a thorough review of all aspects of college operations (e.g., governance, finances, facilities, academic programs, student services and faculty and staff qualifications).
“This accomplishment is a result of the hard work and dedication of our entire campus community,” said Katie Flaherty, associate athletic director for internal operations. “ I feel personally honored to have worked on this project with a strong team of colleagues and take special pride in knowing that after a lengthy and rigorous external review, Coker College stands out as premier institution of higher education.”
Coker submitted a compliance certification in September 2014, which was reviewed by an off-site committee. The college then hosted an on-site team in April 2015. This committee made a recommendation to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, which reaffirmed the college at their annual meeting in December 2015.
“The Commission on Colleges reaffirmation process is rigorous and comprehensive and has required countless hours of work over the past three years,” said Tracy Parkinson, provost of Coker College. “While there are many ways that colleges are rated, graded and judged, this is especially valuable and rewarding because it represents affirmation through a review by peers from colleges and universities across the region.”
Coker excelled throughout the reaffirmation process such that the reaffirmation
committee had no recommendations, and SACSCOC does not require any additional follow-up reports. Reaffirmation is an exhaustive process, and while most institutions are reaffirmed, it is rare for a school to be reaffirmed with no recommendations or follow-up required.
Coker College has been continuously accredited by SACSCOC since 1923 and will undergo its next reaffirmation in 2025.
For more information about Coker’s reaccreditation, please contact Laura Hoxworth at [email protected].
Coker College is a student-focused, private liberal arts college located in Hartsville, South Carolina. Coker combines round table, discussion-based learning with hands-on experiences to encourage active participation in and out of the classroom. A supportive, close-knit community prepares Coker students with the confidence and practical life skills they need to reach their personal best, in college and beyond.
Founded in 1908, Coker is a bachelor’s and master’s degree-granting institution and competes in 21 NCAA Division II sports. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review, and by Washington Monthly as No. 5 for value among colleges in the Southeast region.
