The W reaccredited by SACSCOC
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmed Mississippi University for Women’s accreditation for another 10 years during its annual meeting held Dec. 7 -10.
“Combined with The W’s commitment to personalized academic excellence and career readiness, the reaffirmation by SACSCOC confirms the university as a leader in academic excellence and student success,” said University President Nora Miller. “I commend the dedication and hard work of the many faculty and staff members who contributed to this achievement.”
The decision represents years of planning by faculty and staff to document and demonstrate the university’s compliance with regional and national standards of excellence. The reaffirmation process, which extended over a year, incorporated input and insights from across the University. During an on-site visit in March 2024, SACSCOC’s committee leaders from peer institutions engaged with students, faculty and staff, thoroughly reviewing documentation, policies and practices.
As part of the reaffirmation process, SACSCOC requires institutions to develop a five-year Quality Enhancement Plan to improve student learning. The W’s QEP titled, “Empowering Your Journey,” is designed to help students get career-ready and see themselves as the job-ready professionals and future leaders.
“Our SACSCOC reaffirmation is an important statement on the high-quality learning opportunities available at The W. It is no doubt the result of the efforts of an incredible faculty and staff,” said Dr. Scott Tollison, executive vice president for academic affairs.
The University’s goal is to support student success by promoting professional development and career readiness across the curriculum and through outside-the-classroom opportunities, including internships, mentorship programs, research opportunities and other high-impact learning.
In fall 2021, The W initiated the selection process by appointing a QEP Proposal Team to oversee the topic selection. After feedback from the campus community in listening sessions and surveys, along with analysis of institutional data, the proposal was selected and refined by the QEP Committee in fall 2022 and spring 2023.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is an institutional accreditor for quality assurance in higher education. SACSCOC accredits institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degrees, including those offered via distance and correspondence education, and direct assessment within these institutions. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among its members in the United States and international institutions of higher education approved by the SACSCOC Executive Council, Board of Trustees and the Appeals Committee of the College Delegate Assembly.