News Release: Middle States Reaffirms Community College of Beaver County Accreditation for Eight Yea

July 07, 2023, Monaca, PA – The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) announces reaffirmation of accreditation after evaluation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in March of 2023.

At their June meeting, the MSCHE fully reaffirmed CCBC’s accreditation. This concludes a multi-year self-study process led by a cross-departmental steering committee and supported by employee and student working groups, board members, and Middle States evaluators. The college’s next eight-year reaccreditation evaluation will occur during the 2030-31 academic year.

“The Middle States Self Study provides an opportunity to reflect on where CCBC has been and where we are going and to evaluate our strategic vision, programs, services, and procedures. The entire college put forth an effort worthy of our Titan name and participated in meaningful dialogue about our shared goals and commitment to the students and community that we serve,” said Dr. Roger W. Davis, president of CCBC.

The Commission’s representatives visited the main campus and the Aviation Sciences Center March 26-29 and spoke with students, staff, faculty, board members, and community members.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is an institutional accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) that serves as an independent voice in higher education. As an institutional accreditor, MSCHE requires evaluation of all aspects of the institution holistically, including modality of instruction, and everything done in the name of the institution, including all academic programs and services, fall within their scope of accreditation.

In the final report, the visiting team commended CCBC for its commitment to continuous institutional improvements specifically citing:

• Integrating unit plans with the college’s strategic priorities.
• Partnering with Cengage to help students reduce costs by offering digital textbook subscriptions for a flat fee of $179 annually.
• Working closely with faculty to ensure the viability of Titan Flex course offerings.
• Supporting students who are underprepared in reading and writing with the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) and demonstrating positive results that allow these students to earn college credit sooner.
• Remaining responsive to opportunities and challenges through the RAISE and Titan Growth Awards to improve programs and services, and for increasing award amounts from $50K in 2020-21; $60K in 2021-22; and $70K in 2022-23.

Taken from Middle States Commission Self-Study Evaluation Team Report, March 2023

CCBC originally received accreditation in 1972 and has been reaffirmed every cycle since that time.