Successful Reaffirmation of Accreditation for UTHealth
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston received reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in late March.
The news comes after more than three years of preparation culminating with a review from a reaffirmation committee, which was complimentary in its report, finding no areas of noncompliance.
UTHealth must maintain its accreditation under SACSCOC to enroll new students, award degrees, recruit and retain faculty, and receive federal funding – including student financial aid.
The 10-year review normally includes a visit from members of the reaffirmation committee to the UTHealth campuses, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee was welcomes with a virtual tour that included a video.
“With significant contributions to this effort from our students, faculty, and staff, we want to thank the hundreds of individuals who worked collaboratively toward the continued accreditation,” said a join statement released by UTHealth president and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD; and executive vice president and chief academic officer Michael Blackburn, PhD.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our accreditation liaison, Eric Solberg, and the entire team in the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success, including Deanne Hernandez; Diana Keosayian, EdD; Kathy Rodgers; and Cathy Rozmus, PhD, RN, for coordinating the submission of UTHealth’s compliance documents and the virtual visit by the SACSCOC committee.
“We also want to thank members of the University Academic Council for their guidance, as well as Rebecca Lunstroth, JD, and the leadership team who worked together to develop the Quality Enhancement Plan.
The formal announcement of reaffirmation of accreditation will take place in December at the annual meeting of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees. UTHealth’s next decennial reaffirmation of accreditation will occur in 2031.