The College reached an important milestone earlier this week.
The Self-Study Report we submitted to the Higher Learning Commission marks a significant turning point in the history of Pima Community College. It marks the beginning of a new day.
As noted in our news release, the report documents a comprehensive examination of College operations and highlights a number of improvements that have been made since we were placed on probation by the HLC in April 2013. The submission of the report generated a number of news stories, but I urge you to read it for yourself. It is an impressive piece of work.
Yet our work – the all-important task of regaining the trust of the HLC and the community we serve – is far from over. In mid-September, a team from the HLC will pay us a visit to determine if the College is complying with HLC standards. Once the team’s report is completed, we will send a team to HLC headquarters in Chicago to make our case one last time before their Institutional Actions Council.
The culmination of all efforts comes in early 2015, when Pima will receive formal notification of our accreditation status from the HLC.
Still, the submission of the Self-Study Report shows that we are well on our way to fixing what needs to be fixed and rebuilding Pima into one of our nation’s premier community colleges. And one of the truly amazing aspects of the Self Study is how it came together. Faced with the sobering sanction of probation, the College responded in a way that should make us all proud. We are a team and the Self-Study Report is an example of what can be accomplished when we confront our challenges like a team.
Each member of our team played a critical role in helping us achieve this milestone and the debt of gratitude we owe them bears repeating:
To all the members of our faculty, staff, administration and Governing Board involved in the preparation of the report, thank you. The long hours and hard work you contributed is greatly appreciated.
To all the members of the community who not only worked with us but who raised valid and sometimes difficult questions along the way, thank you. Your input and perspective were a critical part of the process.
And to all our students, whether you were directly involved in the Self Study or not, thank you for reminding all of us why we’re here. By keeping you at the center of everything we do at Pima, I have no doubt that we can take this institution to whole new level.
Pima’s transformation won’t happen quickly or easily, but the Self-Study Report we submitted to our accreditor is proof that it is happening.
Pima CC Chancellor 