College's Fifth-Year Interim Report Submitted to SACSCOC

Thomas Nelson Community College submitted its Fifth-Year Interim Report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), its regional accreditor on Friday, Sept. 10.

The report requires institutions to give an account of their compliance with 22 of the commission's accrediting standards, and provide an overview of the impacts of its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), explained Steven Felker, director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at Thomas Nelson. The College's current QEP centers on improvements to academic advising, and the College's QEP Impact Report evidenced improvements in terms of student experience with advising and major student outcomes that are positively affected by good advising (retention and completion).

He said completion of the Fifth-Year Interim Report required input and contributions from nearly all areas of the College. With nearly 150 pages of narrative text and 358 linked documents as evidence, much coordination among areas was needed to create a quality product and meet the required deadlines.

"It was a truly collaborative process and all involved were extremely helpful and responsive throughout," said Felker, expressing gratitude for the assistance and support. He added particular thanks to Dr. Valerie Burge-Hall, who helped lead Fifth-Year Interim Report efforts during spring 2021 and summer 2021 and was vital to completing the report on time and ensuring its quality.

Now submitted to SACSCOC, the report will be shared with a team of peer reviewers who will evaluate the College's compliance with each of the 22 accrediting standards and review the QEP Impact Report to make sure it meets SACSCOC requirements and expectations. The peer review committee will make final determinations in early December 2021, and the College will learn of any needed follow-up reporting later that month.

Direct questions about the SACSCOC Fifth-Year Interim Report to Felker at felkers@vpcc.edu.