Accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

An Introduction

Why is accreditation important? I would frequently get asked that question –especially during my seven years serving as a Vice President for Middle States, one of the regional accrediting commissions. My short answer was always the same: because it makes you better. Accreditation helps validate what you do best, helps you improve, and promotes quality in all areas. It also holds us accountable for meeting mutually agreed upon standards in higher education and assures the public that we are a quality institution. Compliance is part of it, but that should not be the focus. You achieve compliance on the way to excellence!

At QCC, we are committed to student success and accreditation is one of the many ways that we ensure the success of our students. Our students trust us with their education and their dreams of a better future. We need to honor that trust by being the best college possible. As we undergo our self-study process, welcome the team of peer reviewers, and prepare for the future, I want to encourage each and every one of you to get involved. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to reflect on the work you do, dialogue with colleagues, and get to know the work of the college better. We welcome your suggestions and insights –and the opportunity to get new perspectives and fresh ideas. Everyone’s participation is essential.

As we continue to strive to achieve 100% student success, let’s celebrate what we do well, learn with humility were we can improve, and continue to aim to be better. Our accreditation is not a moment in time, it is an ongoing journey of continual self-reflection, improvement, growth, and commitment to excellence. I am excited about this journey we are embarking on together. I welcome you to join me and the rest of the QCC family as we continue to strive for excellence in all that we do!

Sincerely,

Dr. Luis G. Pedraja

The Process

Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly knowns as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and has been an accredited institution since 1967. The accreditation process is voluntary and affords an institution of higher education the opportunity to assure quality through continuous evaluation and improvement. 

The accreditation process includes a comprehensive review every ten years which includes a self-study, a site visit from a NECHE evaluation team of peer reviewers, and finally a determination from the commission on the accreditation status of the institution. Institutions are also asked to submit an interim (fifth-year) report to examine progress that has been made since the last comprehensive review and to provide the institutions a projection of some areas that the institution should focus on in the upcoming self-study. 

QCC’s last comprehensive review was performed in 2013. As a result of that review NECHE recommended continued accreditation. In 2018 QCC submitted its interim (fifth-year) report and received notification in December of that year that the report was accepted. The letter also confirmed QCC’s next comprehensive review scheduled for 2023 and included suggestions for areas of emphasis in the upcoming self-study report. 

In preparation for the 2023 self-study a timeline was created starting with the visitation dates and self-study due date and working backwards, scheduling key steps and requirements. The self-study is a comprehensive examination of how the institution compares with each of the nine NECHE standards. A call for volunteers was made to the entire campus community, faculty, staff, and students and committees were formed to take an in-depth look at one of the standards. Each committee is co-chaired by a faculty member and an administrator or staff member and consists of 8 – 10 committee members representative of the college community. 

On Friday, March 4 a kickoff meeting was held for committee co-chairs and members and committee members have been hard at work examining their respective NECHE standard with the support of the self-study co-chairs.  

The final draft of the self-study will be submitted by August 2023 and the self-study site visit is scheduled for early October, 2023.  

Student Right to Know

Graduation and Transfer Rates

Graduation & Transfer out rates for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate seeking undergraduates within 150% of normal time to completion. Normal time to completion is 2 years and 150% of normal time is 3 years.
Type of Rate	2014 Cohort	2015 Cohort	2016 Cohort	2017 Cohort	2018 Cohort
Graduation Rate	19%	18%	22%	22%	20%
Transfer out Rate	19%	19%	20%	17%	13%
Graduation/Transfer Rate	38%	37%	42%	39%	33%
Graduation and Transfer Rates
Four year average graduation rate: 20%
Four year average transfer-out rate: 18%
Combined four year average graduation/transfer-out rate: 38%
Source: IPEDS/NCES