College completes reaccreditation process
The College has received notification that its status as accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) has been renewed. During the past two years, Grinnell was involved in a thorough self-study of all aspects of the college's educational mission and operations, including a special emphasis on how the College could reinvigorate its commitment to training leaders in public service and social justice. The reaccreditation process also involved a site evaluation by representatives from the NCA who then prepared a report and recommendations for the college's administration. In order to be reaccredited, the College must demonstrate evidence every 10 years of fulfilling five criteria related to student learning, teaching effectiveness, and the College's ability to respond to future challenges. Among the NCA report's findings were:
- Vivid evidence of Grinnell student leadership, with impressive numbers of students earning prestigious national fellowships.
- A forward-thinking strategic planning process that has guided development of the Grinnell's infrastructure, marketing and admissions priorities, and a vital intellectual and social community.
- Strengthened faculty quality through initiatives to recruit and support junior faculty and invest in continuing scholarly development.
- Student awareness of their roles in the global community, where "construction of the common good" extends beyond the campus, the state, and the country.
- Cooperation between the city and college in joint ventures to enrich the local community.
"The reaccreditation process afforded Grinnell a focused opportunity to reflect upon where it has been and where it should go," said President Russell K. Osgood. "How we best model and train leaders for social justice in the 21st century are ongoing questions faculty, students, staff, and alumni must continue to answer individually and collectively." Grinnell's next comprehensive evaluation for accreditation is scheduled for 2018-19.
