News

Tri-County’s Business Programs Receive Reaffirmation of Accreditation

CONTACT:  JACKIE BLAKLEY, 646-1305

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

                                                                                 (By Lisa Garrett)

         PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College’s Business programs received full reaffirmation of accreditation following a meeting last November of the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Associate Degree Board of Commissioners.

         The Accounting, Business Technology and Automated Office Technology programs recently received a 10-year reaccreditation, said Jackie Blakley, dean of the Business and Public Services Division. 

         Following the College’s extensive self-study of these programs, a team of program evaluators visited Tri-County in October of 2010 to validate the programs’ compliance with ACBSP standards.  In addition to talking to department heads and College administrators, the evaluators met with other faculty, staff and students.

         ACBSP accreditation certifies that the teaching and learning processes within the business programs at Tri-County meet the rigorous educational standards established by ACBSP, said Blakley.

         “Tri-County Technical College has shown its commitment to teaching excellence and to the process of quality improvement by participating in the accreditation process,” said ACBSP Director of Accreditation Steve Parscale, who will present the Certificate of Reaffirmation of Accreditation at the ACBSP Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 27.  “This accreditation is evidence that Tri-County is committed to providing the highest quality business education for its students.” 

         “Along with being recognized as standing apart from the rest, reaccreditation helps an organization to evaluate itself and to stay competitive with other colleges,” said Blakley.  “Reaccreditation is very meaningful for the Business department because it confirms that our standards are high for our department and our faculty,” she said.

         “Evaluators said the College’s strengths include the dedicated and qualified faculty and administrative leaders,” said Blakley.  “They added that we are supportive of our business unit and the College mission.  They noted a connection between faculty, students and administration,” she added.

         “The process is outcomes based and allows us continually to look at our programs and services and to improve ourselves when necessary.  It also reaffirms we are doing things right,” she said.

         Accreditation has many advantages for student and employers, she said.  Students are able to transfer course credit more easily from an accredited business program.  Also, accreditation is important for employers, who can expect that prospective employees have completed a program where students have been exposed to a comprehensive and relevant curriculum. 

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