Fall 2023 ACCJC Accreditation Visiting Team Open Forum and Closing Remarks
We were happy to welcome the Fall 2023 Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Visiting Team to Santa Monica College on Tuesday-Wednesday, September 26-27, 2023.
The Visiting Team included Chair Dr. Keith Flamer/Superintendent/President College of the Redwoods, Vice Chair Dr. David Wain Coon, Superintendent/President College of Marin, and Team Member Dr. Margarita Pillado, Professor of Modern Languages Los Angeles Pierce College. In addition to the Visiting Team members, Kevin Bontenbal, ACCJC Staff Liaison, were in attendance.
After reviewing the college’s self-study, evidence provided, and response to the one core inquiry identified, Team Chair Dr. Flamer delivered the resoundingly positive news that there were no recommendations, the best possible outcome for Santa Monica College. The final team report and ACCJC official decision are forthcoming.
ACCJC Links to Docs & Memorandums
- ACCJC web site
- ACCJC Accrediting Commission
- ACCJC Resources, Eligibility Requirements, Standards, and Policies
- ACCJC Guides and Manuals
- ACCJC Visiting Team Roster for SMC’s 2020-2023 Accreditation Cycle
- ACCJC Memorandum, SMC’s Comprehensive Peer Review Confirmation
SMC Accreditation/Institutional Self-Evaluation Docs
- SMC’s 2021-2023 Accreditation/Institutional Self-Evaluation Report Leadership Team
- SMC’s 2021-2023 Accreditation/Institutional Self-Evaluation Report Timeline
- SMC’s 2021-2023 Institutional Self-Evaluation Report submitted to the ACCJC December 2022
- SMC Accreditation Leadership Team’s Presentation to the SMC Board of Trustees November 2022
Accreditation
Santa Monica College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 10 Commercial Blvd., Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at accjc.org.
A Message from Superintendent/President Jeffery on Third-Party Comments
Santa Monica College has launched the process of preparing its 2023 Self-Evaluation Report required by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) in order to reaffirm SMC’s accreditation. The report will provide information and reflection on the College’s many accomplishments, challenges, and evolution over the past seven years, and will also identify areas in need of improvement and modification.
College-wide participation is encouraged; to that end, we invite your feedback on the drafts of the Self-Evaluation Report, which will provide valuable guidance and insight. To submit a comment, question or concern about the Self-Evaluation drafts, visit the SMC Public Comment webpage.
In addition, the ACCJC accepts comments related to an institution’s compliance with Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards, and Commission policies. Third-party comments associated with the self-evaluation review cycle must be received by the ACCJC not later than five weeks before scheduled Commission consideration. To submit a third-party comment, visit the ACCJC website.
My gratitude goes out to Dione M. Carter and Jamar London, Co-Chairs of the Accreditation Leadership Team, and Dr. Bradley Lane, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer, and to everyone involved with this crucial process.
Thanking you for your continued support and service to SMC,
Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D.
SMC Superintendent/President
About Santa Monica College
Below are helpful links to help you learn more about SMC.