Eastern Florida Earns 10-Year Accreditation

The Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC) has reaffirmed Eastern Florida State College’s 10-year accreditation.

The news was announced Monday during a bi-monthly meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees.

“This is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for,” said college president Dr. Jim Richey.

“It is a reflection of the outstanding work that our faculty and staff did in preparation for reaccreditation, but even more than that, it is a testament to their daily commitment to the highest academic and institutional standards for our students.”

The reaffirmation process included an intensive analysis over multiple days by a committee of highly respected and accomplished higher education experts.

For colleges like Eastern Florida, reaccreditation takes place every 10 years to ensure the highest academic and administrative standards are met through continued improvement, program assessment, and student success. 

For students, attending an accredited college provides them with the assurance that course credits and degrees they earn come from a quality institution of higher education. This also helps when transferring to other colleges and universities and can be equally important to future employers.

The result of more than three years of work by the college’s faculty and staff, the reaffirmation ensured compliance with more than 40 academic requirements and administrative standards. It also served as the catalyst for the creation and implementation of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) that addresses student learning and success.

Named “Rocket to Success: Taking Online Learning to New Heights,” the QEP is designed to improve online learning through an emphasis on faculty professional development, quality online instruction, and enhanced student support services.

The concept grew out of research undertaken for the college’s strategic plan showing that student success rates in online general education Math and English courses were lower than those of students attending in-person classes.

“In its pilot year, our QEP has already made a significant difference,” said Dr. Phil Simpson, EFSC’s Chief Learning Officer.

“A total of 255 students in either online gateway Math or English courses have already shown improved understanding using the strategies in the QEP co-designed by course instructors and tutors. Another 280 students took advantage of enhanced support services provided by key staff. We are extremely optimistic that this trend will continue and results at the conclusion of the pilot will prove the QEP successful.”

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in this extraordinary effort,” said Richey.

“Eastern Florida has developed an exceptional reputation in the Florida College System because its faculty and staff are second to none, and our reaffirmation is proof of your efforts. I am immensely proud and consider it an honor to serve with you.”

For more information about EFSC, visit easternflorida.edu

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