WVC outlines improvement efforts following accreditation review

WENATCHEE — Wenatchee Valley College officials say the institution expects to remain fully accredited as it begins work on recommendations following a recent visit from its accrediting agency.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) visited WVC in April as part of the college’s regular accreditation review process, meeting with students and employees and reviewing a self-evaluation report prepared by the college over the past six months.

College leaders said the evaluation team issued draft commendations and recommendations intended to guide future improvement efforts. In response, WVC has already started developing an action plan that includes work on internal communication strategies and a decision-making matrix across both campuses.

“NWCCU’s report provides clear directives that will guide our work moving forward to make WVC the higher education institution of choice for North Central Washington,” WVC President Faimous Harrison said in a statement. “We fully anticipate that WVC will remain an accredited institution and appreciate our faculty, staff, and student’s engagement throughout this process.”

In July, Harrison is expected to report back to the commission on the college’s progress since the April visit. The meeting will confirm WVC’s accreditation status and clarify the recommendations the college must address moving forward. According to the college, institutions are generally given four years to complete accreditation recommendations.

WVC officials described the accreditation process as an opportunity for reflection and institutional growth.

“This year’s accreditation process has demonstrated our faculty and staff’s commitment to our students, to each other, and to strengthening the communities we serve through education,” Harrison said. “We have important work to do to make Wenatchee Valley College live up to its full potential.”

A final report from NWCCU is expected in August.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media