Polk State College achieves reaffirmation of accreditation by SACSCOC

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

Polk State College is celebrating the reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) which is a testament to the institution’s commitment to quality and integrity as well as its capacity to provide effective programs and services.

This concludes a three-year process of rigorous internal and external peer review and reinforces Polk State’s mission to serve as a quality-driven institution that transforms lives through the power of teaching and lifelong learning.

“The College’s reaffirmation of accreditation means that Polk State has the resources, programs, and services in place to accomplish and sustain its mission,” Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti said. “This provides our students and the community with reassurance that Polk State remains committed to providing quality higher education and workforce training.”

As part of the College’s commitment to continuous improvement, Polk State will continue to implement its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) that was developed as part of the reaffirmation of accreditation process. Polk State’s QEP, Explore to Complete, engages students in career exploration, developing career goals, and selecting and persisting on academic pathways to complete their degrees and certifications. Explore to Complete will continue to bolster academic advising, career planning, and initiatives such as freshmen pre-advising.

Dr. Falconetti expressed thanks to Polk State’s Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Research, Dr. Mary Clark, for her leadership throughout the SACSCOC process. She also extended great appreciation for the SACSCOC and Polk State District Board of Trustees.

“I am proud of the entire Polk State team. It takes students, faculty, staff, and administration all coming together to successfully complete a reaffirmation of accreditation,” Dr. Falconetti said. “Polk State’s SACSCOC accreditation celebrates the dedication and integrity of our entire College community.”

Polk State District Board of Trustees Chair Cindy Hartley Ross echoed this sentiment.

“Our Polk State College faculty, staff, and administration have again proven to be well prepared to offer our students quality, affordable, most relevant, and often trailblazing higher ed degrees and certificates that serve our Polk County community and the State of Florida’s ever-changing workforce needs,” Ross said. “On behalf of our District Board of Trustees, congratulations Polk State College!”