Ensuring a smooth re-accreditation process for City College

As the accreditation cycle begins again later this year, John and Trustees have placed City College in a good position for a smooth process due to the financial reforms they put in place. Additionally, the accrediting commission has appointed John to a task force that is working to improve the process for all California Community Colleges.

During the last accreditation crisis, John fought successfully to retain the college's accreditation. Although a lawsuit of the accreditation agency by the City of San Francisco found that the agency had acted improperly, there was still much work to be done. John lobbied members of Congress in Washington and members of the state legislature in Sacramento. He also testified at hearings in Washington and Sacramento. And he worked to resolve issues at City College in a timely manner. As a result, City College retained accreditation and was given a 7-year accreditation approval and a clean bill of health.

Later this year, City College will once again begin the process. The Board of Trustees has resolved all outstanding accrediting issues, including have the required reserve fund two years in a row. Thanks to this work, the accreditation process this time will be a smooth one.

John is also now working on the effort to revise accreditation standards for all community colleges across California and Hawaii. The accrediting agency, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), has appointed John to the Standards Review Team.  The task of the team is to review draft revisions to Leadership and Governance accreditation standards and to suggest edits.

This appointment has not only enabled John to provide input to the next version of the accreditation standards, but has given him an detailed understanding of the goals of the accreditation standards and what they mean for City College and other community colleges.

John's expertise in community college accreditation is an asset to City College.