HCC granted continued accreditation - March 24, 2005
The Middles States Commission on Higher Education recently acted to reaffirm the accreditation of Hagerstown Community College. This notification comes as a follow-up to the ten-year review by a team of evaluators who visited the HCC campus in November of 2004.

“This reaccreditation is external validation that the college is doing an excellent job based largely on the talents and hard work of the faculty and staff,” said HCC President Guy Altieri. “As we struggle to do more for an increasing number of students, it’s important for us to continue to meet the rigorous academic and business standards set by Middle States.”

Altieri added that from a student’s perspective, it is especially important because the Middle States accreditation designation allows college credits to transfer from one accredited institution to another.

“There are other types of college accreditations that HCC has or could pursue, but none is as important to the transfer of student credits as Middle States,” he said.

HCC has continuously maintained accreditation by Middle States since its first review in 1968. In preparation for the November visit, college officials prepared a 220-page institutional self-study which was sent in advance to the evaluation team.

The team reported that HCC met all of the 14 standards of excellence identified by Middle States. In keeping with reaffirmation of full accreditation, HCC is expected to submit a periodic review report to the Middle States Commission in June of 2010. Its next comprehensive visit will be in 2015.

HCC receives positive report from accreditation review team - November 4, 2004
Following a recent three-day site visit, a review team representing the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools presented Hagerstown Community College with a positive evaluation in its quest to receive continued accreditation.

Edward Yaw, team chair and president of County College of Morris in Morristown, N.J., read the findings of the eight-member review team to an audience of nearly 100 faculty and staff. Within two weeks, officials at HCC will receive a written draft report and then have 10 days to respond with any suggested changes to correct matters of fact. A final decision regarding accreditation will be granted by the Middle States Higher Education Commission in March.

“We were extremely pleased with the report and impressed with the expertise of the team members,” said HCC President Guy Altieri. “The college has worked hard in preparation for the review and expects to receive full, continued accreditation.”

The review process includes the evaluation of 14 standards of excellence. They include mission goals and objectives, planning and resource allocation, institutional resources, leadership and governance, administration, integrity, institutional assessment, student admissions, student support services, faculty, educational offerings, general education, related educational activities and assessment of student learning.

The team’s report listed areas of commendation for each standard, as well as suggestions for improvement. Three overall recommendations made by the team focused on areas related to assessment. College officials plan to address these recommendations in their planning efforts.

“It is important to have this external feedback to be sure we are maintaining the high standards expected by Middle States,” added Altieri. “Accreditation is extremely important to our students because it assures them that we are a quality institution and that our credits will transfer to the best four-year colleges and universities in the country.”

HCC has maintained accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since its first review in 1968. It was last reviewed in 1993.

HCC prepares for evaluation - October 29, 2004
Hagerstown Community College is readying itself for a visit by an evaluation team that will recommend whether it remains accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The team arrives Sunday and will be on campus through Wednesday.

“Middle States accreditation is like the Goodhousekeeping Seal of Approval for colleges,” said Guy Altieri, HCC president. “It indicates the college is meeting rigorous academic standards and upholding sound business practices. From a student’s perspective, it is especially important because the designation allows college credits to transfer from one accredited institution to another.”

The college has been preparing for the visit for two years. More than half of HCC’s full-time employees have participated in the preparations. As a result, a 220-page institutional self-study has been developed and sent in advance to the evaluation team.

“The college is well prepared for the Middle States team and expects a very successful site visit,” Altieri added.

The review team consists of eight official team members and one team associate, as well as two team observers representing the Maryland Higher Education Commission. During their visit, the team will review college documents and meet with college faculty and staff, the board of trustees and community members. On the final day of their visit, the team members will present their preliminary findings and recommendations to the campus community.

HCC has maintained accreditation by the Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools since its first review in 1968. It was last reviewed in 1993.