WVNCC receives high marks from its accreditors

West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) received exceptionally high marks from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) after a comprehensive review of the College’s academic offerings, policies, procedures, mission, finances, governance, and resources. The College received the decision from HLC following a site visit from a five-member evaluation team who met with faculty, staff, students, members of the Board of Governors, WVNCC Foundation Board members, and community leaders. WVNCC fully met all five core components required for accreditation.

“We are extremely excited about the news and tremendously grateful to the Higher Learning Commission, and its evaluators, for the thorough and rigorous process of accreditation,” commented WVNCC President Dr. Daniel Mosser. “Accreditation assures the exemplary education offerings and mission of WVNCC. The faculty and staff are to be commended for the dedication and hard work they poured into the process. The employees received high praise numerous times in our report and are to be applauded for this outcome.”

Among the many strengths cited by the HLC evaluation team were positive engagement by faculty and staff, strategic planning, assessment, strong leadership by the President, financial position, diversity and inclusion, commitment to student success and support from community stakeholders.

Specific comments contained within in the report include:

• “West Virginia Northern Community College has come a long way in a short number of years. They have embraced the accreditation process as a part of their planning and institutional improvement. They have a strong mission that is well understood and have created a strategic plan and related processes that make it the foundation of their institutional planning. There is significant involvement at all levels and a good understanding and commitment to institutional priorities and action items.”
• “It is evident that the President provides strong leadership and works collaboratively with faculty and staff to move initiatives forward and to make decisions on things that impact various constituents. Relations with the Foundation and the Board of Governors are also good. The Faculty Assembly and Staff Council work well with each other and with the administration.”
• “The institution has a strong financial position and has made strategic decisions to spend some of their reserves and money received during the pandemic to facilitate strategic priorities. Budget planning is systematic, related to strategic priorities, and involves faculty and staff in the process.”
• “It was clear that the members of the College’s Diversity Committee are truly committed to diversity in all its variations and will serve the College well in pursuing awareness of DEI issues and fostering a sense of inclusion throughout the WVNCC community.”
• “Community stakeholders were impressed with the quality of WVNCC’s students, and the responsiveness of the College in developing programs that meet the needs of the community.”
• “It was clear to the team that the Board, administration, faculty, staff, and students are informed and involved in the institution. Faculty and staff are high energy and dedicated to student success.”