FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Melissa Utsuki
Executive Director of Communications and External Relations
626-914-8872
mutsuki@citruscollege.edu
Citrus College receives highest level of accreditation reaffirmation
Glendora, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2021) – After nearly two years of self-evaluation and preparation, Citrus College has received a vote of full confidence from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
During its Jan. 12-14, 2022, meeting, the commission acted to reaffirm Citrus College's accreditation for seven years, which is the best possible outcome an institution can receive. The decision was made following a review of the college's Institutional Self Evaluation Report (ISER), evidentiary materials and the Peer Team Report that was developed following a virtual site visit in October 2021.
"Reaffirmation is an outstanding accomplishment that was facilitated by the hard work and diligence of more than 80 members of the campus community who contributed to the self-evaluation process," said Dr. Greg Schulz, superintendent president of Citrus College. "It was also made possible by those who participated in the virtual site visit and are active in our ongoing planning and governance processes."
Superintendent/President Schulz continued, "This has been a collective effort, and we are very proud of these impressive results."
Citrus College is one of three institutions that are part of a pilot program for the ACCJC's new formative/summative method of accreditation. As part of this new method, the college's ISER was sent to the members of the visiting team prior to the virtual site visit. Comprised of peers from other community colleges, the visiting team developed lines of inquiry regarding any items needing further clarification. Citrus College then had the opportunity to address any of these lines of inquiry prior to the visit.
"You all boldly went where others had not yet gone, and we really appreciated that," Sunita "Sunny" Cooke, Ph.D., chair of the ACCJC visiting team, said during the virtual site visit in October. "The team was very impressed with the involvement of folks across the college in the planning and work of the college, as well as in the approach to accreditation. It was clear that this was a very inclusive process, and that this is a very inclusive and collaborative campus."
In a letter sent to Citrus College on Jan. 27, the ACCJC listed no compliance requirements for the college. The commission also commended the college for the "diligent work and thoughtful reflection" it invested into the review process. According to the letter, Citrus College will not need to take any additional action until October 2025, at which time a midterm report will need to be submitted to the ACCJC.
"On behalf of the board of trustees, I extend my most sincere gratitude to all of the members of the college community who devoted time and energy into ensuring that Citrus College was prepared for this important moment," said Mary Ann Lutz, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "Because of these efforts, our students and surrounding communities can be assured that Citrus College's commitment to institutional effectiveness remains strong."
###
