The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) has reaccredited Southern Maine Community College for the next 10 years, giving the College high marks when informing SMCC of the reaccreditation.
NECHE, formerly called the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is the regional accreditation agency for colleges and universities in the six New England states. NECHE accreditation requires that institutions meet rigorous standards in areas that include administration, academic programs, faculty, students and facilities.
“Everybody at SMCC should be proud of our reaccreditation,” SMCC President Joe Cassidy said. “We came through the process with flying colors. The reaccreditation assures the public that we are a high-quality institution delivering a high-quality education.”
During the accreditation process, SMCC produced a 228-page self-study and large quantities of supporting data to illustrate how SMCC complies with the high standards set forth by the accreditation agency.
A visiting team from NECHE spent three days of in-depth discussions with faculty, staff, students, administrators and trustees on both the South Portland and Midcoast campuses. Throughout the process the team repeatedly commended SMCC for its integrity, transparency, professionalism, collaboration, focus and data-informed progress.
“We commend Southern Maine Community College for submitting a well-written and comprehensive self-study that demonstrates the many ways in which the College is achieving its mission by ‘transforming lives and communities through education,’” the commission wrote in its notification letter to Cassidy.
SMCC was last reaccredited in 2008. The next comprehensive reaccreditation evaluation is scheduled for 2028.